
Class 

Book 

Copyright^ . 



COPS-RIGHT DEPOSIT. 



tTLora U ransmuta 

A CALENDAR OF TRANSLATIONS 



MARIA BOWEN 




BOSTON 

SHERMAN, FRENCH £ COMPANY 

1913 



?ti&02o 

,B 7 



Copyright, 1913 
Sherman, Frexch & Company 



©CI.A358764 



d 



<3 

7r TO 

E. A. G. 
These translations were begun to occupy 
hours of convalescence, and continued 
because words insisted on coming to 
fit into versions of favorite poems. 
No one knows better than the trans- 
lator all their shortcomings, but even a 
booh of pressed flowers may give some 
idea of the beauty of the living originals. 
You encouraged the first attempts; 
will you accept these, and judge them 
as leniently as you judged the others? 



TABLE OF AUTHORS 

LATIN: 

Anonymous 172, 173, 192 

St. Ambrose 178 

St. Bernard 22 

St. Bona ventura 59, 151 

Catullus 86 

Claudian i. . 52 

St. Gregory , 23 

Hadrian 131 

Horace 90, 91, 113 

Johnson, S i. . 171 

Juvenal 26, 98 

X Kempis i. . . 21, 54 

Lucretius , 74, 85, 86, 89 

Martial 9, 87, 93, 107 

110, 113, 119, 123, 129, 134, 144, 158, 
172, 176, 178, 179, 180, 181, 187 

Milton 183, 184 

N^evius i 90 

Ovid 3, 29, 30, 65, 105 

119, 138, 162, 167 
Plautus 52 

POLITIAN i 131 

Pope Leo XIII 75 



Prudentius 158 

Roman Breviary, passim. 

Terence k 118 

Virgil 60, 115, 117, 125, 

127, 130, 132, 147, 148, 151, 152, 165, 

183, 185 

Warton 172 

Zenodotus i 98 

ITALIAN: 

Chiabrera 64, 109 

Dante 21 

Machiavelli i 141 

Metastasio 1 

Petrarch 152 

Sacchetti ; 41 

Sannazaro 18 

Strozzi 91, 97, 105, 166 

Tasso t 68, 69, 70, 71, 

100, 129, 141 

SPANISH: 

Anonymous 78, 161, 193, 194 

Lista, Alberto 92 

Proverbs 17 

Rita, Lopez de, 160 

FRENCH: 

Beranger ,. . . . 190 

Berat 115 

Etienne 125 

Florian 70 

Froissart i 94 



Gouffe, Armand 25, 142 

Hugo, Victor 65 

Musset, Alfred de 110, 127, 143, 

146, 156 

d'Orleans, Charles 95 

Planard, E. de Ill 

Ronsard 12, 27 

Segur ( 43 

Taille, Jean de la 40, 41 

GERMAN: 

Agricola, J 102 

Anonymous 92, 155 

Arndt 139 

Arnim 19 

Bechstein 58 

Fallersleben, H. von i. . 159 

Fouque 17 

Geibel 124 

Gleim 48 

Goethe v 21, 22, 30, 48, 

53, 60, 80, 98, 103, 112, 122, 123, 133, 
143, 145, 150, 164, 191, 194, 195 

Gotz 79 

Hebel 13, 76, 89 

Heine , 11, 61, 96, 109, 

126, 133, 144, 146, 147, 182, 188 

Herder 19, 185, 189 

kosegarten 44 

Krummacher , 28 

LOEBEN 117 

Luther 1, 23, 60, 101, 137, 

141, 142, 160, 165, 190, 191, 193 



Maltitz, A. von , 10 

Meissner, A 101 

Mosen 72 

Neumann , 20 

Ruckert 96, 157 

ScHEFER, L 2 

Schiller , 3, 9, 118, 185 

Schlegel, A. W 134, 140 

Schopenhauer 153 

Seume 54 

Spitta, Karl 50, 148 

Tanner 119 

Tieck 116 

TlEDGE 52 

Trinius 51, 67 

Uhland 22, 47, 59, 74 

Voss i 73 

FOLK-SONGS: , 29, 97, 124, 133 

CHAUCER: 15, 55, 62, 63, 80, 

149, 163, 174, 181 



FLORA TRANSMUTA 



January 1 

Without this Love, 
What would become of all the spheres that move, 
The earth, the sea? By its own torch's flare 
The stars are colored ; light and order fair 
It ministers to them ; in peace maintains 
The elements' discordance ; hill and plains 
It joins, and with eternal circling sweep, 
Which seems but chance, and yet is wisdom deep, 
It forms, unforms, and then renews the world. 

Metastasio. 

January 2 

When Dr. Martin Luther saw the cattle going 
to pasture, he said : " There go our preachers, 
the milk-carriers, butter-carriers, cheese-carri- 
ers, wool-carriers, who preach to us daily belief 
in God, that we should trust in Him as our 
Father, should trust that He cares for us and 
will feed us." 

January 3 

COURAGE 

heart, cease thy despairing, 

Fling off thy heavy yoke ! 
Thou hast so much been bearing, 

Canst bear alike this stroke. 

1 



jFIora Crangmuta 



Put on thy shining armor, 

My heart, be free and brave ! 
Much harder work and warmer 

Than love-songs must thou crave. 
And though thy breast is bleeding, 

Still onward go and fight ! 
Thou know'st how sweet exceeding 

The swan sings in death's night. 

Geibee. 



January 4 

ENEMIES 

When thou dost find that thou hast enemies, 
Then be thou glad, for all are not yet good. 
Although thou needst not boast, be not ashamed 
That thou hast enemies — who has them not 
Nor can bear with them, of no friend is worthy. 

January 5 

But be thou truest friend to every foe, 
And cease not still to give them words and looks, 
Example, silence, and long-suffering patience, 
And self-restraint, to thee most heavy burden ! 
The good man is of highest praise most worthy 
Who can win back the foolish to good ways. 

L. Schefer. 



JFlora Cransmiua 3 

January 6 

Wouldst thou know thyself, watch how others 

are acting — 
Wouldst thou understand others, look in thine 

own deep heart. 

Schiller. 

January 7 

MIDAS 

Silenus, staggering with years and wine, 
The Phrygian peasants held in bondage fine 
Of woven garlands, and to Midas brought, 
Their King, whom Orpheus and Eumolpus 

taught 
The Bacchic rites ; and he, soon as he knew 
His old companion 'midst the jovial crew, 
Straightway commanded feasts should still 

renew 
Through twice five days, and nights in order 

due. 

January 8 

And now the eleventh morn had forced to yield 
The starry host, when to the Lydian field 
The King came joyful, and Silenus brought 
Back to his youthful pupil, who had sought 
Him long, and now in gratitude decreed 
The grant of any boon desired as meed. 



jFlora Crattsmuta 



He says, with choice as vain as it is bold: 
" Cause that whate'er I touch be turned to 

gold ! " 
Bacchus assents to the beseeching King, 
Grieved that he should not ask a better thing. 



January 9 

Midas departs all joyful, and he tries, 
Scarcely believing, if the promise lies. 
A green branch from an ilex-tree he breaks ; 
Golden it grows as it his touch forsakes. 
He lifts a little stone from off the ground; 
Its color tinged with gold is straightway found. 
The clods themselves before his potent touch 
Become pure lumps of gold; his power is such 
That ears of corn all gorgeous to behold 
Are seen when he has plucked them. 



January 10 

If he hold 
An apple from the tree, you would have told 
Yourself the Hesperides had given the fruit; 
And if his fingers touch the doors, they shoot 
Bright radiance forth, and glitter far and near. 
E'en when he wished in water flowing clear 
To lave his hands, the water would appear 



jFlora Cransmuta 



Fit to deceive fair Danae. His mind 
An end to golden joys can scarcely find. 
Attendants come to spread his ample board, 
Piled up with food, with bread and all things 
stored. 



January 11 

Then when the gifts of Ceres felt his hand, 
Stiffened with gold before him did they stand; 
And when he tried to bite them, in good sooth, 
Hard metal pressed against his eager tooth. 
Did he mix wine with water, fusile gold 
Flowed through his mouth, congealing fast to 

cold. 
Astonished at this novelty of ill, 
And rich and poor at once, his granted will 
He fain would flee from, and his former love 
Can now nought else but utter hatred move. 



January 12 

His hunger no abundance now relieves ; 

His throat burns, and just torments he receives. 

To heaven his arms all shining does he raise ; 

" Pardon, Lenaeus ! I have sinned," he says ; 

" Have pity, and the specious gift remove." 

Mild Bacchus, looking gracious from above, 

Restores the one whom conscience did reprove. 



6 jHora Cransmuta 

" That thou mayst from the hated gold be freed, 
Go," says he, " to the stream near Sardis' mead. 
Along the bank betake thy way, and mount 
Until thou comest to the river's fount, 
Then plunge thy head where most the bubbles 

strike, 
And cleanse thy body and thy crime alike." 



January 13 

The King obeys. The golden powers fall 
From off his body, tingeing stream and all. 
E'en at the present time, the fields are pale, 
The wet clods gleaming with the golden hail. 
Now, hating wealth, he cared for wood and field, 
And for the god whom mountain caverns shield. 
But he remained still heavy in his mind, 
His stupid thoughts still harmful did he find. 



January 14 

All lofty stands great Tmolus, gazing wide, 
Upon the sea, with steep, ascending side. 
Here Sardis, there Hypaepa stands beside. 
Here for the Nymphs Pan makes his shepherd 

songs, 
On the waxed reed that to the god belongs. 
And as he dared to place his lays before 
Apollo's, Tmolus' judgment they implore. 



jFJora Cransmuta 



The judge takes seat upon his mountain 

crowned 
With trees he clears away: his locks are bound 
With a green oak-wreath, acorns hanging round. 



January 15 

Looking upon the shepherd god, he said: 

" The judge is ready." Then Pan raised his 

head, 
And set his lip against the pipe and blew, 
And pleased King Midas with the sound so new. 
Midas by chance was there. Then Tmolus' 

face 
He turned to Phoebus, and his woods apace 
Turned also. His fair head with laurel 

crowned, 
His T}a-ian mantle sweeping o'er the ground, 
Apollo held his lyre with gems inlaid 
And ivory, the while his right hand swayed 
The moving plectrum, and his pose betrayed 
The artist in his power. 



January 16 

Then the sweet strings 
He strikes, and, captured as he sings, 
Tmolus commands the Pan-pipes to submit 
Unto the cithara, as is most fit. 



8 jHora Cransmuta 

This judgment pleases all except the King; 
Midas alone calls it an unjust thing. 
The Delian suffers not, in wrathful storm, 
Such stolid ears to keep their human form. 
He draws them out in length and fills with hairs, 
And makes them movable, and so impairs 
One part alone, in vengeance to bestow 
Long asses' ears, that slowly moving go. 

January 17 

Midas indeed conceals them all he can, 
And veils his loaded temples with the span 
Of purple turban, but the servant, who 
Was wont to cut his locks, had seen and knew. 
He, when he does not dare to publish plain 
What he has seen, nor silent can remain, 
Goes off and digs a hole within the ground, 
And whispers into it what he has found; 
Then covers with the earth he threw away, 
And satisfied and silent, goes his way. 

January 18 

A growth of trembling reeds began to rise, 
And soon as it had ripened to full size, 
It did betray its planter; for when soft 
The south wind blows, full many a time and oft, 
The buried words it whispers, and betrays 
The master's secret, and his ears' disgrace. 
Ovid. Me'tamorphoses XI, 85-193. 



iTIora Cransmuta 9 

January 19 

Into the ocean wide Youth sails with a hun- 
dred masts. 

Back to the harbor glides, in his boat, Old Age 
at last. 

Schiller. 



January 20 

The winter brings thee wreaths, O Cassar, for 

thy throne, 
The roses once belonged to spring, but now they 

are thine own. 

This wild asparagus shall be 
As pleasant, my friend, to thee, 
As that most tender thorn 
Ravenna's shore has born. 

Martial. 



January 21 

COURAGE 

Courage has still and quiet bearing, 
As still as patience and as strong; 

No helm or sword it needs to carry. 
It rushes not in victory's throng- 



io jHora Cransmuta 

Courage the bride has at the altar, 

With eyes cast down and hands in fold ; 

Courage the mother has who standeth 
Beside her husband lying cold. 

The laurel wreath repays the battle, 

Rewards but cool courageous heart; 
The deepest sorrow faints in silence, 

No blood comes from the deepest smart. 
He is the knight, he is the soldier, 

Who in the conflict falls and dies ; 
He who complains not is true warrior, 

He hero is who never sighs. 

A. von Maltitz. 



January 22 

If you need doctors, take these three as best : 
A cheerful mind, moderate food, and rest. 

Maxim of School of Health at Salerno. 



January 23 

Often you ask, O Priscus, what I'd do, 
If I grew rich, and of a sudden too. 
Whom do you think his future waj^s can see? 
Were you a lion, what sort would you be? 

Martial. 



jHora Cransmuta 11 

January 24? 

EVENING 

We sat in the fisherman's cottage, 
And looked out over the sea; 

The evening clouds were coming 
And rising mistily. 

The lights within the lighthouse 

Were kindled one by one, 
And in the furthest distance 

We saw a ship alone. 

We spoke of storm and shipwreck, 

Of how the sailor lives, 
And 'tween the sky and water, 

'Twixt joy and anguish strives. 

We spoke of distant coastlands, 
Of the South and of the North, 

And of the outland customs 
That foreigners bring forth. 



January 25 

Of Ganges' light and fragrance, 
Where trees gigantic tower, 

And handsome, quiet natives 
Kneel to the lotus flower; 



12 jFlora Cransmuta 

Of Lapland's dirty people, 

Low-browed, wide-mouthed, and small, 
How round the fire they bake their fish, 

And scream and gabble all. 

The maidens listened earnest 

Till silence came at last; 
The ship we saw no longer, 

The night grew dark so fast. 

Heine. 

January 26 

When you are very old, at eve, by candlelight, 

Sitting beside the fire, spinning and winding 

thread, 
You will croon my verses o'er, and in wonder 

will have said 
Ronsard sang thus of me when my beauty was 

so bright. 
Then there will be no maid who (hearing you 

repeat 
Such words), however tired and falling half 

asleep 
Will not at Ronsard's name start up and wake- 
ful keep, 
Ronsard who crowned your head with immortal 

praises sweet. 
I shall be under ground, and, a thin and wan- 

d'ring guest, 



jFlora Cransmuta 13 



Among the laurelled shades I shall take my 

well-earned rest; 
While you crouch o'er the fire, a woman old 

and gray, 
Regretting all my love and all your bitter scorn. 
Oh ! trust me, live to-day, and wait not for the 

morn ; 
Gather, while yet you can, the roses in your 

way. 

RoNSARD. 



January 27 

THE BOY IN THE STRAWBERRY-BED 

A child ran off into the wood 

One Sunday afternoon ; 
A place he found where red and good 

Wild strawberries grew, and soon 
He picks and eats all he can eat, 
And thinks : " This is my evening treat." 

A rustling comes among the leaves ; 

A lovely Boy appears. 
He wears a coat like silverdust, 

A golden wand he bears. 
He shines like sunlight on the snow; 
Nought like it all one's life can show. 



14 jHora Cransmuta 

January 28 

Then speaks the Boy: " What eat you there? 

With you I will go shares ! " 
" Nothing," the little chap replies, 

And lifts no cap, but stares. 
Then says the Boy: "Thou eastest nought? 
Rude child, then shall it profit nought." 

The Boy is gone, and all the trees 

Stand wrapt in fragrance rare, 
A lovely Angel flies thereout, 

Up into the blue air; 
The child stands gazing as at bay, 
Then rubs his head, and runs away. 



January 29 

Since then, no happiness he has 
In eating berries more; 

I never have seen such a sight, 
They please not as before. 

He may eat handfuls at his will, 

And yet his hunger is not still. 

What lesson do I find in this 
For every child? One must 

Be friendly to each stranger-man, 
With word and greeting just, 



JFIora Crart0muta 15 

And lift his cap at the right time, 
Or shame will follow on the crime. 

Hebel. 



January 30 

CHANTICLEER 

A widow poor, somewhat advanced in age, 
Was whilom dwelling in a small cottage, 
Beside a grove, and standing in a dale. 
This widow, whom I tell of in my tale, 
Since that same day that she was last a wife, 
In patience led a full simple life. 
For little was her chattel and her rent: 
By husbandry of such as God her sent, 
She found herself, and eke her daughters two. 
Three large good sows she had, three and no mo : 
Three cows, and eke a sheep that she called Mall. 
Full sooty was her bower and her hall, 
In which full many a slender meal she eat ; 
Of piquant sauce she knew not, never a bit. 
No dainty morsel passed through her throat; 
Her diet was according to her cot. 
Repletion did never make her sick; 
Attempered diet was all her physic, 
And exercise, and heart's good suffisance. 
The gout did never hinder her from dance, 
Nor did quick apoplexy hurt her head. 



16 jHora Cransmuta 

January 31 

No wine she drank, neither the white nor red: 
Her board was served most with white and black, 
Milk and brown bread, in which she found no 

lack, 
Singed bacon, and sometimes an egg or twain; 
For she was, as it were, a dairymaid. 

A yard she had, enclosed all about 
With sticks, and with a dry ditch too without, 
In which she had a cock called Chanticleer. 
In all the land his crowing had no peer — 
His voice was merrier than the merry orgon 
On high mass days that in the church go on. 
Full surer was his crowing in his lodge 
Than is a clock, or any abbey orloge. 
By nature he knew each ascension 
Of the equinoctial in that same town ; 
For when degrees fifteen were quite ascended, 
Then crew he that it might not be amended. 

His comb was redder than the fine coral, 
Embattled as it were a castle wall. 
His bill was black, and as the jet it shows; 
Like azure were his legs and eke his toes ; 
His nails were whiter than the lily flower, 
And like the burned gold was his color. 

Chaucer. Nun's Priest's Tale. 



jFIora Cran0muta 17 



February 1 



See that what you tie so fast, 
You can untie at the last. 

Spanish Proverb. 



February 2 

Dress a monkey in silk, and as fine as you will, 
He is but a poor little monkey still. 

Spanish Proverb. 

February 3 

The world belongs, or soon or late, 
To him whose patience still can wait. 

Sicilian. 

February 4 

Not all who go to church can say 
They go for nothing but to pray. 

Sicilian. 

February 5 

COMFORT 

If all things come to meet thee, 

And days were always fair, 
If God took nothing from thee, 

And gave no load to bear, 



is jFIota Crattsmuta 

How would it be when dying, 

O child of man, for thee? 
Thou wouldst be wildly crying, 

So dear the world would be. 

Now one by one is falling 

From thee each dearest band, 
And cheerful canst thou journey, 

Led heavenward by death's hand. 
Thy fear is burst asunder, 

Hope can her wings unfold ; — 
This word is often spoken, 

Yet none too often told. 

Fouque. 

February 6 

CARTHAGE 

Here fell the fortresses of conquered Carthage, 
And all its towers lie ruined on the shore ; 
Ah ! how much fear did that fierce city once 
Bring to the fields of Latium and Laurentum ! 
Now it is scarcely recognized, and hardly 
Preserves its name and its far-scattered rem- 
nants ; 
Involved in its own ruins there it lies. 
And should we then, unhappy race, lament, 
When our poor body languishes through age, 
Whilst every hour cities and kingdoms fall? 

Sannazaro. 



jFlora Cransmuta 19 

February 7 

Man has three friends in this world; how do 
they behave towards him in the hour of death, 
when God calls him before the judgment-seat? 
Money, his great friend, leaves him first, and 
does not go with him at all. His friends and 
relations go with him to the entrance of the 
grave, and then return to their homes. The 
third, whom in his lifetime he often forgot, is 
the number of his good works. These alone 
follow him to the throne of his Judge; nay, 
they go before him, bear him witness and obtain 
for him pardon and mercy. 



Herder. 



February 8 

LOFTINESS 

Lofty lily, lofty lily! 

None so proud as you in place ; 

Resting in your quiet grace, 
Lofty lily, lofty lily ! 

Glad I gaze upon your face. 

Lofty cedar, lofty cedar ! 

None are lonelier in their pride, 
Yet the eagle by your side, 

Lofty cedar, lofty cedar ! 
In securest nest can bide. 



20 jFlota Crawsmuta 

Lofty cloudbanks, lofty cloudbanks 
Move above you proud and slow, 
Sending down their lightnings' glow, 

Lofty cloudbanks, lofty cloudbanks 
Laying proudest forests low. 

Lofty fire-flames, lofty fire-flames ! 
Countless lilies at your source, 
Countless forests feel your force, 

Lofty fire-flames, lofty fire-flames ! 
Whither goes your proudest course ? 

Arnim. 



February 9 

Two little chambers has the heart, 

And there within 
Sorrow and joy each dwell apart. 

If joy should ever wake in one, 

Then slumbers still 
Sorrow within its chamber lone. 

O joy, take greatest care, and learn 

To whisper low, 
That sorrow wake not in its turn! 

Neumann. 



Jflota Cransmuta 21 

February 10 

It is the hour when traveller's heart, 
Turns with a homeward swell, 

It is the hour when pilgrims start 
To hear the distant bell ; 

The bell that sadly seems to mourn 

The day that dies without return. 

Dante. 



February 11 

The flowers, that here are sent thee, 
Greet thee a hundred times ! 

Full often have I bent me, 
Indeed a hundred times, 

And kissed them all so gently 
A hundred thousand times ! 

Goethe. 



February IS 

Be humble in God's sight, 

His grace thou shalt obtain; 

In simple things delight, 

And great shall be thy gain. 

Thomas a Kempis. 



22 jFlora Ctansmuta 

February 13 

Hail, holy Cross, our only hope eternal. 

Roman Breviary. 

February 14 

ON THE DEATH OF A CHILD 

You came and went, and left but little trace, 
A fleeting guest within this earthly place ; 
From whence, and whither? only this we know: 
Out of God's hand, again to Him you go. 

Uhland. 

February 15 

Pure delight and perfect sweetness 

Is the love of Christ our Lord, 
Its possessor has completeness, 

Strengthened by his Master's word. 
Earthly things he makes his climbing stair, 
Things celestial are his only care. 

St. Bernard. 

February 16 

Let me remember the hour and the day, and the 
smallest occasion. 
Ah, who does not recall gladly the days that 
are past ! 



jFIota Cransimuta 23 

All the sweet thronging pressure of hours joy- 
ous and crowded, 
Ah, who prizes enough treasure that hastens 
to fly! 
Small it appears at the time, but oh ! not small 
to the heart -beat ; 
Love and Art can alike render the smallest 
thing great. 

Goethe. 

February 17 

Whilst his child yet lay very ill, Dr. Martin 
Luther said : " She is very dear to me ; but, dear 
God, since it is Thy will to take her away, I shall 
rejoice to know she is with Thee." And while 
she lay in bed, he said to her : " Madalina, lit- 
tle daughter, thou stayest here right willingly 
with thy father, and thou goest also willingly to 
thy Father on high ! " She answered : " Yes, 
dearest Father, as God wills." Then said her 
father : " Ah, dear child, the spirit is willing, 
but the flesh is weak ! " And turning round, he 
added : " She is indeed very dear to me. If 
the flesh is so strong, what must the spirit be? " 

February 18 

Drive the enemy away, 

Give us peace both night and day. 

Gregory the Great. .« 



24 iflora Cransmuta 

February 19 

Nail us, too, upon the Cross, 
Where for us Thou suffered loss. 

Roman Breviary. 

February 20 

The Lord of all commands us to be brave and 

to believe, 
And he who suffers to the end, a crown shall he 

receive. 

Roman Breviary. 

February 21 

PRAYER 

Lord, whom deep in heart I love, be with me ! 
In good and evil fortune be Thou with me ;. 
In summer heat when manhood's cheek is brown, 
As in youth's time of roses, be Thou with me; 
Keep me from joy's excess and overflow, 
And when I most despair of self, be with me. 
Give of Thy Spirit to my song, to cleanse it, 
And that no discord ever sound, be with me. 
Thy blessing is as dew ; myself I'm nothing, 
That I may dare the highest, be Thou with me. 
O Thou my comfort, strength, and truest sun- 

light, 
Until the end of all my days be with me ! 

Geibex-. 



JFIota Cransmuta 



February 22 

THE END OF DAY 

The end of day 
Freshens the plants and all their powers 
As troubadour so gay, 
I would my homage pay, 
And sing the newest flowers 
At end of day. 

The end of day 
Brings village pleasures in its train; 
See how the shepherds gay 
Dance and sing time away : 
After hard work, one loves amain 
The end of day. 

The end of day 
Brings back to lovers mystery and shade- 
When Phoebus dulls his ray, 
Venus takes up her sway, 
And feasts with Mars are made 
At end of day. 



February 23 

The end of day 
Brings peace to every wildwood bird; 
Hidden in leaves away, 



26 jflora Cransmuta 

They fear no beak of prey, 
And wait unseen, unheard, 
The end of day. 

The end of day 
Often may see me into slumber fall ; 
When death takes me away, 
All softly I shall say: 
'Tis only, after all, 
The end of day. 



Armand Gouffe. 



February 24 

WINTER SONG 

How quiet art thou resting 
In white and snowy vesting, 

O 1 mother-land of ours ! 

Where is the spring-time's singing, 
The joys of summer's bringing, 

And thy festal robe of flowers? 

The Father, high in heaven, 
For thee this dress has woven; 

He sleeps not day nor night. 
Then sleep thou, nor be dreary, 
The Father wakes the weary 

To newer strength and newer light. 



Jflora Cransmuta 27 

Soon will the spring-time hover, 

And thou thy youth recover, 
And life and wonder rare. 

Its breath sweeps down upon thee; 

Then, earth, arise, and sun thee, 
With flowery wreath in hair. 

Krummacher. 



February 25 

TO RUFUS 

ON THE NUPTIALS OF PUDENS AND 
CLAUDIA PEREGRINA 

Rufus, Claudia Peregrina weds 

My Pudens. Hymen, make thy torches 
shine ! 
So mingle rarest cinnamon and nard, 

So blends sweet Thesean with the Massic 
wine; 
No better joined is elm with tender vine, 

No more loves lotus water, myrtle shore. 
May concord pure watch ever o'er their line, 

And Venus smile upon them more and more. 
May Claudia love him still when he is old, 
And still seem young to him when many years 
are told. 

Martial. 



28 JFlora Cransmuta 

February 26 

Praestabat castas humilis fortuna Latinas, 
Casulaa, somnique breves, et vellere tusco 
Vexatae durasque manus, et proximus urbis 
Annibal, et stantes Collina in turre mariti. 

Juvenal. 



Ce que fit la beaute des Romaines antiques 
C'etaient leurs humbles toits, leurs vertus 

domestiques, 
Leurs doigts que l'apre laine avait faits noirs 

et durs, 
Leurs courts sommeils, leur calme, Annibal 

pres des murs, 
Et leurs maris debout sur la porte Colline. 

Victor Hugo^ — L'Annee Terrible. 



In lowly fortune the pure Latin matrons 
Excelled, in modest homes, and brief repose ; 
Their hands were roughened by the wool they 

carded, 
While Hannibal drew ever near the city, 
And on the Colline tower their husbands 

watched for him. 



jflora Cransmuta 29 

February 27 

END OF ELEGY ON TIBULLUS 

If we have aught beside a shade and name, 

Tibullus in Elysium shall remain. 

There thou shalt meet him, with fresh ivy 

crowned, 
Catullus, by thy Calvus' arm enwound. 
Thou too, O Gallus, spendthrift of thy blood, 
True to thy friend, although misunderstood, 
These shall be thy companions, worshipped 

one. 
Thy pious songs are ended now and done, 
In quiet urn may thy bones safely rest ; 
And earth lie lightty on thine ashes blest. 

Ovid. 



February 28 

FOLK-SONG 

O were I a wild falcon, 

I would spread my wings so wide, 
And never stoop me earthward 

Till my Lord's house I descried. 
And there with my strong pinions 

I would beat at my darling's door, 
Till bolt and bar flew open, 

And my darling stood before. 



30 jHota Crangmuta 

February 29 

A GOOD PASSAGE 

The clouds have departed, 

The heaven is clearer, 
And iEolus loosens 

His tightly-drawn band. 
The wind whistles shrill 

And the skipper is busy; 
Swift, swifter still 

We move through the water, 
The distance draws nearer; 

I see the fair land ! 

Goethe. 

March 1 

PERSEUS AND ANDROMEDA 

Now iEolus the raging winds confines, 
And the bright morning star in heaven shines, 
When Perseus, binding on his winged shoes, 
From the wet grass brushes away the dews, 
And having girded on his crooked sword, 
Sprang from the ground, and through the 

heaven soared. 
Unnumbered nations far he leaves below, 
And flies to Cepheus' fields, now fields of 

woe — 
Where the young daughter, for her mother's 

boast, 



jflora Ccansmuta 31 



Bound to the rocks where raging waters 

tossed — 
The son of Abas sees. At first he thought 
The maid a work in Parian marble wrought, 
Till, drawing nearer, Perseus then perceives 
The rushing tears, salt as the foaming seas, 
Flow down her mournful cheeks, and a light 

breeze 
Wave her long locks. Entranced he gazed, 
His wings forgot to move, he stood amazed. 



March % 

At last he said: " O worthy, not of these, 
But of such chains alone as join and please 
Fond lovers — open to me, I implore, 
Thy name, thy country's name, and further- 
more, 
Why thou dost bear these fetters ? " She at 

first 
Is silent, nor to look at him she durst ; 
Her modest face she vainly sought to hide 
With both her hands, but those poor hands 

were tied. 
All that she could, her eyes with tearful 

stream 
She filled. But, at his prayer, lest she should 

seem 
To cover up some crime, she would redeem 



32 jHora Ctansmuta 

Her name, and tells it plain, her land and 

coast, 
And how her mother's beauty made her boast. 

March 3 

She had not finished, when a mighty wave 
Broke into thunder, and a monster gave 
Himself to view, high-towering o'er the sea, 
And seeming to possess it utterly. 
The maiden shrieks, and, hastening to her 

cry, 
Her sire and mother come, in misery, 
Her mother justly. But no aid is sent, 
Nought except floods of tears and loud 

lament. 
Then speaks the stranger : " Time enough 

have you 
For tears ; the time is short for work to do. 
If ye would know me, I am son of Jove, 
Perseus, whom Danae, showered from above 
With gold, brought forth ; who conquered 

snaky-haired 
Medusa, who with borrowed wings has dared 
Through air to pass. — A son to be pre- 
ferred. 
To add desert to this, I struggle hard. 
May the gods favor ! This alone I ask, 
This maiden to be mine, when I have done 
my task." 



jHora Cransmuta 33 

March 4? 

They grant him this, — for who would 

doubt ? — empower, 
Pray, promise all their kingdom as a dower. 
Behold, the dragon, as a ship from shore, 
Cuts through the waters with its prow before, 
Driven by sweating arms in youthful pride, — 
So he comes on, the sea disparting wide. 
He was as near as Balearic sling 
Can send its lead that flies with whirling 

spring, — 
When suddenly the youth, spurning the 

ground, 
Soared to the clouds, casting his shadow 

round 
Upon the sea, in which the monster raged. 
Then, — as the bird of Jove, who sees en- 
gaged 
A dragon, sunning all his livid back 
Within a field, swoops down, and makes attack 
Behind his neck, so that no turn avails, 
And fixes all his talons in the scales, — 

March 5 

Thus headlong sent through air with swiftest 

flight, 
The son of Inachus descended light, 
And striking the beast's shoulder from the 

right, 



34 JFIora Crangmuta 

Buried his sword up to its handle's height. 
Stung by the wound, the dragon rises now 
On high, and now dives down and deep below, 
Turning at bay like to a raging boar, 
Whom crowds of dogs surround with barking 

roar. 
Perseus evades his bites with swiftest wings, 
And where he sees advantage, there he 

springs ; 
On back beset with shells, or sides, or tail 
Ending like fish, his blows descend like hail. 



March 6 

The monster belches waves of foam and 

blood. 
Now Perseus' dripping wings no more are 

good 
For any aid, nor dares he trust to-day 
His winged shoes, all soaking with the spray. 
He saw the pile of rocks that stands above 
The quiet waves, is covered when they move. 
Struggling to this, and holding by one hand 
Its jagged points, taking his watchful stand, 
His sword at the beast's vitals aiming true, 
Three and four times he drove it through 

and through. 
Applause and clamor fill the shore, and rise 
To reach the upper region of the skies. 



jFIora Cransmuta 35 

March 7 

Cassiope, and father Cepheus too, 
Rejoice, and call him son as is his due, 
Their house's present aid and saviour true. 
Then, set at liberty, her chains undone, 
The maid approached, cause and reward in 

one 
Of all his labor, and, herself, she laved 
With water drawn, the weary hands that 

saved. 
Medusa's head, to shield it from the sand, 
She lays on bed of leaves and twigs that stand 
Beneath the waters, growing there at hand. 
The fresh-cut branches, where the sap had 

passed, 
Received the monster's power, and, harden- 
ing fast, 
Into each leaf a novel rigor cast. 
The Sea-Nymphs come, to try this wondrous 

game 
With many boughs, and laugh to touch the 

same, 
And scatter all the seeds abroad again. 
E'en now our corals the same nature own, 
Drawing their hardness from the air alone, 
Pliant beneath the waves ; above them, stone. 



36 jflora Crattsmuta 

March 8 

To the three Gods Perseus makes haste to 

raise 
Three altars on the turf, where fire may 

blaze ; 
The left to Mercury, the right to thee, 
O warrior Maid ! the midmost of the three 
To Jove his father. And he offers now 
A bullock to the wing-foot god, a cow 
Unto Minerva, and a lordly bull 
To him who over all the gods holds rule. 
Then he bears off Andromeda, no thought 
Of dowry mingling with the prize he sought. 



March 9 

Hymen and Love shake both their torches 
bright, 

The fires are filled with odors as with light, 

And garlands hang from all the roof's great 
height. 

The lyre and flute, and song, with sweet con- 
sent 

Sound everywhere, the cause and argument 

Of happy minds ; the doors, thrown open 
wide, 

The golden halls within no longer hide ; 

And all the nobles, dressed in rich attire, 



jFIora Cransmuta 37 

Throng to the banquet of their King and 

sire. 
When they had cheered their minds, and 

taken part 
In feast, and wine from generous Bacchus' 

heart, 
The son of Abas asks if he may know 
All of the race and worship they can show. 
Lyncides answers him, narrating then 
The manners and the customs of the men. 



March 10 

" And now," he said, " O strongest one, I 

pray 
Tell us, O Perseus, in what wondrous way 
And with what arts thou didst at length at- 
tain 
The snaky-locked Medusa head to gain." 
Agenor's great descendant made reply, 
And tells how under Atlas cold and high 
A certain place in safe retreat doth lie, 
Where the Phorcydas, sisters grim, remain, 
And have one eye to use between the twain ; 
This did he take by stealth as they exchanged ; 
And then through devious, hidden ways he 
ranged, 



38 jfiota Ctangmma 

Through forests rough, o'er rocky steeps he 

passed, 
And reached the Gorgon's dreadful home at 

last. 



March 11 

There did he see on fields and pathways 

strewn 
Those whom Medusa saw and turned to stone, 
Of men and beasts the image manifold. 
Yet he went on, and still did he make bold 
To scan the dreadful beauty of her face, 
Reflected in his shining shield's embrace; 
And while asleep with all her snakes she lay, 
Her head he severed, and escaped away. 
He adds the story of the winged horse, 
Sprung from the blood that issued from her 

corse, 
And how he flew o'er land and watery deep, 
And touched the stars with his wide pinions' 

sweep. 

Ovid. Metamorphoses iv. 663-789. 



March 12 

Flesh from flesh He liberated, 
Not to lose whom He created. 

Roman Breviary. 



jFIora Crangmuta 39 

March 13 

All thy saints shall nourish like the lilies, 
As the balsam's odors shall they be. 

Roman Breviary. 



March 14 

O Christ, O truest Charity, 
Protect us from our enemy, 
Receive us in our agony. 

Roman Breviary. 



March 15 

At the fiery sun's decline, 

O eternal Light divine, 

Pour into these hearts of thine 

Love and strength like richest wine. 

Roman Breviary. 



March 16 

O Good Shepherd, bread of heaven, 

Look with pity on our woe; 
Feed us, guide us, stand beside us, 

Make Thy Kingdom reign below. 

Roman Breviary. 



40 jflora Crattsmuta 

March 17 

IN PRAISE OF THE ROSE 

Some love a flower of azure hue, 

Some, another color true ; 

One may choose the lily white, 

One the rich carnation red, 
Some may blazon their delight 

In fragrant odors wide outspread. 
But I, above each flower that blows, 
Would choose the sweetness of the rose. 

I love to sing of this fair flower, 
Its crimson tint and all its dower. 

Venus, and Aurora too, 

Chose its beauty to adorn 

All their graces, and its name 

By the one I love is born. 
I love, above each flower that blows, 
To sing the honor of the rose. 

March 18 

The rose is queen of all the race 
Of flowers, in odor and in grace, 
For she surpasses every one, 

And should not, like a common flower, 
Fade at the setting of the sun, 

But flourish with unceasing power; 
Above each lovely flower that blows, 
I sing the honor of the rose. 



jFlora Cransmuta 41 



She forbids not to any wight 
Her perfume or her beauty bright. 
But if one should be indiscreet, 

Then comes her little pointed spear, 
To give each roughness answer meet, 
And show none may approach too near. 
Above each lovely flower that blows, 
I sing the honor of the rose. 

Jean de la Taille. 



March 19 

THE SIGN OF THE MARGUERITE 

In April when sweet Love is born, 
I entered his garden gay one morn, 
And there a small and lovely flower 

Pleased me more than all beside. 
It was not the white Virgin's Bower, 

The pink nor the rose nor the lily in 
pride : 
It was the Marguerite so fair, 
In my heart it is always written there. 

Its petals had started to unfold, 
And show its hidden heart of gold; 
Most perfect is it and has no peer, 
And longer lasts with its dainty tint 



42 jflora Cransmuta 

Than lily or violet sweet and clear, 

Than rose that blushes without stint; 
Forever written on each heart-beat, 
Above all flowers, is the Marguerite. 



March 20 

Others may praise the colors bright 
Of flowers that die that very night, 
As of the tender rose 'tis true 

In one month only can it bloom: 
But my little flower of modest hue 

Will never fade nor give place to gloom. 
In my heart is always written sweet 
Above all flowers the Marguerite. 

Please God that I at last one day 
May kiss it my fill and have my way. 
Let kindest love grant me this grace 

That in good time I may pluck this 
flower, 
This little flower with rosy face, 

That grows the lovelier every hour ! 
In my heart would be always written sweet 
Above all flowers the Marguerite. 

Jean de la Taikle. 



JFiora Cransmuta 43 



March 21 

THE FAREWELL 

Alas! the trumpet calls you from my arms! 
The hosts array, and danger has its charms. 
Go then, and conquer,— 'tis a man's proud 

lot,— 
Follow your fate ; but ah ! forget me not. 

To duty and to love alike be true, 
When honor calls you, seize the laurel due : 
For glory seek, a glory without spot, 
Shun cruel death ; but oh ! forget me not. 



March 22 

In peace I tremble even as in war; 
What shall I do, so fierce my sufferings are! 
So many beauties are there ! well I wot 
How you will please them ; but forget me not. 

Yes, onward go upon your conquering way; 
The gods of love and battle with you stay. 
Keep all your sweet, intoxicating lot, 
Be always happy; but forget me not. 

Segur. 



44 jHora Cransmwa 

March 23 

THE LOAF OF ST. J0D6CUS. 

To prove his servant's pure integrity, 
The Lord came once to St. Jodocus' door 
In poorest guise and begged a piece of bread. 

" Give," said Jodocus, " give it to him, 
Steward ! " 

" Sir," said the Steward, " but one loaf is 
left us: 

What shall we eat — you and the dog and I ? " 

" Give it," the Abbot said, " the Lord pro- 
vided." 

The Steward took his knife and careful 

measured, 
Then cut the loaf of bread with great exact- 
ness 
Into four equal pieces, giving one 
Unto the beggar, saying none too friendly: 
" One piece for thee, and one for each of 

us!" 
Jodocus smiled, and the beggar-man departed. 

It was not long e'er in yet poorer guise 
Again the Lord returned and begged for 
bread. 



iflora Cransmuta 45 

" Give," said Jodocus, " give the man my 

share ! 
The Lord provides." And so the Steward 

gave it. 

In a short while appeared, and yet more 

hungry, 
For the third time, our Lord, and begged for 

bread. 
" Give," said Jodocus, " give him now thy 

share ! 
The Lord provides." And so the Steward 

gave it. 

March 24 

Again a while, and lame, blind, wretched, 



For the fourth time the Lord implored for 

bread. 
Jodocus said : " Give him the dog's small 

portion I 
The Lord who feeds the ravens will provide." 

The Steward gave the last piece to the 

beggar. 
He went ; and a clear voice spoke out of 

heaven : 
" Great is thy faith, and true disciple art 

thou, — 
As thou believest, be it done to thee." 



46 jFlora Cransmuta 

And as the Steward looked from the narrow 

window, 
Lo ! four small ships came sailing to the 

shore, 
With bread and fruit and oil and wine full 

laden. 



The Steward hasted joyful to the strand. 
No man he found, but in the stead thereof, 
He saw a white flag waving, as he neared it, 
Whereon in golden letters flamed these words : 

" Four ships He sends who feeds the raven's 
hunger, 

Unto the Abbot who four times has fed Him : 

One for himself, one each for dog and Stew- 
ard; 

The fourth is for the Sender's own poor 
kindred. 

KoSEGARTEN. 



March 25 

A meadow and a group of girls 
Picking flowers to deck their curls; 
Swift they wander to and fro, 
And they gather as they go; 
Here are violets, Oh, see; 



JFIora Crangm uta 47 

What is that? A fleur-de-lis! 
Others lovelier, one, two, three. 
There the roses further be, 
O me, how the thorns do prick! 
Some one come and help me quick. 
U, u, Oh, what jumps so there? 
A great black cricket, I declare! 
Here, come here, come one and all, 
Climbing on the bank we fall; 
Where is she? She is not here — 
Yes, I am! Well, come then, dear; 
Here are mushrooms not a few, 
Further on is wild thyme too. 

Franco Sacchetti. 



March 26 

FAREWELL 

Fare thee well, fare thee well, my love, 

To-day I must leave thee, 
Just a kiss, just a kiss give, 

I will ne'er deceive thee. 
But one flower, but one flower break 

From all thy tree may carry! 
Not a fruit, not a fruit to take 

Can I longer tarry. 

Uhland. 



48 jFIora Cransmuta 

March 27 

MAXIMS 

To all hypocrisy 

Be a stout enemy ; 

In all men's eyes we must at last show clear 

What in God's sight we now appear. 

Nothing in words and much in deed, 
Brings work to end with quickest speed. 

Lament no more, I counsel give 
To the unhappiest that live. 
Bad fortune turns to good, if only we 
Through the bad fortune better be. 

Gleim. 

March 28 

THE READING-BOOK 

Wonderful the Book of Love is, 
More than all. With care I've read it: 
Fewest leaves are given to joy, 
But quite half the book is sorrow. 
Separation makes a section. 
Meeting's but a little chapter, 
Fragmentary. Grief fills volumes, 
Lengthened out with explanations, 
Measureless, without an end. 



jFIora Cransmuta 49 

O Nisami ! — } r et at finish 
Thou hast found the only clue, 
Never to be loosened, never: 
If thou losest self in loving, 
Loving brings it back to thee. 

Goethe. 



March 29 

The winged messenger of day 
Tells us that light is near, 

Incites our hearts and minds to pray, 
For Christ recalls us here. 

Rise up and leave your bed, He says, 

Put off your stupor ill, 
Be pure, be sober, and upright, 

Watch, for I come at will. 

Weeping we answer when He calls, 
The Shepherd to His sheep ; 

Our supplication so intense 
Forbids our hearts to sleep. 

O Christ, Thou rousest us from sleep, 
Breakest the chains of night, 

Dissolvest bonds of our old sins, 
And bringest us new light. 

Roman Breviary. 



50 jHora Cratt0muta 

March 30 

THE ANGEL OF PATIENCE 

A gentle angel moveth 

Throughout this sinful earth; 
All worldly want to comfort 

The Lord has sent him forth. 
Peace lies within his glances 

With mildest, softest flame ; 
O follow on his footsteps, 

For Patience is his name. 

With faithful hand he leads thee 

Through every worldly fear, 
And tells thee, all so tender, 

That better times are near. 
When thou art fast despairing 

He still is great of heart; 
He helps thy cross to carry, 

And smoothes the roughest part. 

March 31 

He changes bitter sorrow 

Into a milder grief, 
And lulls, in quiet meekness, 

The stormy heart to sleep. 
He makes the darkest daytime 

Slowly, but surely, light ; 
And healeth every sorrow, 

Although not swift his might. 



JFIota Cransmuta 51 



Thy tears he never chideth 

When he would comfort thee, 
He blameth not thy longing, 

But makes it quiet be. 
And when, with wildest murmur, 

Thou askest: " Why, O why? " 
He points, with steady finger, 

All smiling to the sky. 

He has for every question 

No answer for thy fear; 
His word is always : Suffer ! 

Thy resting-place is near. 
So goes he on beside thee, 

And little does he say ; 
He thinks on the fair future, 

On the goal so great and gay. 

Spitta. 



April 1 



Winter ! behold the green ! 

Dost know the news it's bringing? 
Now must thou quit the scene, 

The snowdrop bells are ringing! 

Trinius. 



52 jFIora Cransmttta 

April 2 

Love is rich in bitter and in sweet for all. 
A little taste of honey, and a barrelful of gall. 

Pl.au tus. 

April 3 

IN PRAISE OF SERENA, WIFE OF 
STILICON 

Wherever through the grasses you may go, 
Roses have risen, and white lilies grow. 

Claudian. 

April 4 

Joy that is shared is doubled joy, 
But sorrow shared grows less by half. 

Tiedge. 

April 5 

From overflowing hearts let praises sound; 
Awake ! all harmonies, beneath, around. 

Roman Breviary. 

April 6 

In the morning praise the Lord, 
And at night our thanks record. 

Roman Breviary. 



JFIora Cransmuta 53 



April 7 

He who seeks the Saviour high, 
Lifts his glances to the sky — 
He is granted there to see 
Sign of glorious liberty. 

Roman Breviary, 

April 8 

Tongue and mind and sense and vigor, 
Let them praise in every part; 

Charity with burning ardor, 
Let it kindle every heart. 

Roman Breviary. 

April 9 

EASTER SONG OF THE ANGELS 

Christ is arisen ! 

Joy to the mortal race, 
Whom all earth's perishing, 
Creeping, and cherishing 

Needs may imprison. 

Christ is arisen! 

Blest are the loving, 

Who through much moving, 

Healing, behooving 

Trials have risen. 



54 jflota Cransmuta 

Christ is arisen ! 

Out of destroying grave ! 
Break from your prison, 

Joyous and brave. 
Praise Him in word and deed, 
Show love to all in need, 
Give all your brethren food, 
Publish glad tidings goiod, 
Promise true joy indeed; 
Still is the Master here, 
Still is He near. 

Goethe. 



April 10 

Labor is little, 

And short is our life, 
Great our reward 

Of rest after strife. 

Thomas a Kempis. 

April 11 

Song and evil ne'er together dwell, 
Where thou hearest singing, all is well. 

Peace with singing still belongs, 
Wicked people have no songs. 

Seume. 



Jflora Crangmuta 55 



April 12 



To confirm a heart sincere 
Faith alone suffices here. 

Roman Breviary. 

April, 13 

HOW REASON DEFINES LOVE 

Love there is in sundry wise, 
As I shall here to thee devise — 

For some love lawful is and good, 
I mean not that which makes thee wood, 
And bringeth thee in many a fit, 
And taketh from thee all thy wit, 
It is so marvellous and quaint, — 
With such love be no more acquaint. 

Love of friendship also there is, 
Which maketh no man do amiss, 
Of will so knitted betwixt two, 
That 'twill not break for weal nor woe, 
True of meaning, devoid of sloth, 
For wit is nothing without truth : 
So that the one dare all his thought 
Say to his friend and spare nought. 

April 14? 

A good man burnetii in his thought 
For shame when that he asketh ought, 



56 jFIota Ctan0mitta 

He hath great thought and dreadeth aye 

With much unrest, when he shall pray 

His friend, lest he refused be, 

Till he prove his stability. 

But when that he hath found [some] one 

That trusty is, and true as stone, 

And essayed him at all, 

And found him steadfast as a wall, 

And of his friendship be certain, — 

He shall him show both joy and pain, 

And all that he dare think or say, 

Without shame, as he well may, 

For how should he ashamed be, 

Of such one as I [have] told thee? 



April, 15 

When he knew his [friend's] secret thought 
[A] third shall know thereof right nought, 
For two is better [far] than three 
In every counsel and secrecy: 
Reproof he dreadeth never a dele 
[If] he hath set his wordes well, 
For every wise man, out of dread, 
Can keep his tongue till he see need -— 
And fools cannot hold their tongue ; 
A fool's bell is soon rung; 
Yet shall a true friend do more 
To help his fellow of his sore, 



jflora Cransmuta 



And succor him when he hath need, 
In all that he may do indeed, 
Gladder [when] that he him pleaseth, 
Than his fellow that he easeth — 



April 16 

Another love also there is, 
That is contrary unto this, 
[Whose] desire is so constrained 
That it is but will feigned ; 
Away from truth it doth so vary 
That to good love it is contrary ; 
For it maimeth in many wise 
[Feeble] hearts with covetise; 
All in winning and in profite 
Such love setteth its delight: 
This love so hangeth in balance 
That if it lose its hope, perchance, 
Of lucre, that it is set upon, 
It will fail, and be quenched anon; 
For no man may be amorous, 
Nor in his living virtuous, 
[If] he love more in [his] mood, 
Men for himself than for their good: 
For love that profit doth abide 
Is false, and lasts not any tide. 

Chaucer. Romaunt of the Rose. 



58 jHora Cransmuta 

April 17 

CROSSNESS 

So cross, so cross am I! 
Because I'm cross, that is why. 
Sun shines too bright and clear; 
Birds sing too shrill and near, 
Wine is too sour and queer, 
Too bitter is the beer, 
Honey too cloying! 
I am cross utterly, 
Because I'm cross, that is why. 
Yonder is music gay, 
Yonder they dance and play, 
Throw up their hats in glee, 
How that displeases me ! 
Much more than I can say, 
It is not to my mind, 
Because I'm so cross, I find, 
So cross am I to-day ! 



April 18 



Where'er I go or stay, 
I see my shadow play ; 
And if the sky is gray, 
Bad is this other way, 
O, how annoying! 
Winter's too cold for me, 
Spring comes too suddenly, 



JHota Ccangmuta 59 

Summer is much too warm, 
Autumn brings such a swarm, 
Flies buzzing through the air, 
Flies and gnats everywhere, 

how that troubles me! 
Provokes me bitterly ! 

How that my heart can sting! 
All wrong is everything ! — 

1 am cross utterly, 
Because nought pleases me, 
Because I'm cross as cross can be, 
So cross, so cross am I ! 

L. Bechstein. 
April 19 

When thou art at work or sleepest, 
When thou laughest, when thou weepest, 

Full of grief or joyful art; 
When thou comest, when thou goest, 
And in pain or pleasure growest, 
Keep the cross within thy heart. 

St. Bonaventura. 
April 20 

HOME-COMING 
O break not, bridge, thou tremblest sore. 
O fall not, rock, thou threat'nest more, 
World, disappear not ; sky, pass not away, 
Before I reach my dearest one, and stay. 

Uhland. 



60 jflora Crangmuta 

April 21 

A talent shapes itself in quiet stillness, 
A character grows best in the world's great 
stream. 

Goethe. 



April 22 

" In this humble dwelling 
Lodged once," Evander said, " the great Al- 

cides ; 
This was his palace. And if thou wilt lodge 

here, 
Dare, O my guest, to hold wealth in disdain; 
Show thyself worthy of the God, and come not 
With a harsh scorn into this poor estate." 

iENEID, VIII, 362. 



April 23 

Many people are not worthy to do one single 
good work; and, truly, it is a great thing for 
a man to be worthy of doing one good work. 

Martin Luther. 



jHora Crangmuta 6i 

April 24 

SPRING GREETING 

Lightly, brightly through my brain 

Lovely chimes are ringing; 
Ring, song of spring, again, 

Into distance flinging. 

Ring once more, and reach the door 

Where violets are meeting; 
If you see a rosebud there, 

Say I send her greeting. 

Heine. 

April 25 

There in old time stood a castle 
Full of joy and war array; 

Stately lords and dames and pages 
In the torch-dance moved away. 

Then the castle and the people 
Did a bad enchantress curse; 

Only walls are now remaining, 

Where the owls their cries rehearse. 

Yet my blessed aunt has told me: 
" If, perchance, the one right word 

In the right hour of the night-time, 
In the right place is but heard, 



62 jflora Cransmuta 

Then the ruins change with quickness 
Once again to castle bright, 

And again with mirth are dancing 
Many a lady, many a knight." 

Heine. 

April 26 

TO HIS LADY 

Fairest of fair and goodliest alive, 
My secret heart to you I plain and shrive, 
Requiring of your grace in my complaint, 
Or to be healed, or martyred as a saint, 
For by my truth, I swear, and by this book, 
Ye may both heal and slay me by a look. 

Go forth, my own true heart most innocent, 

And with great humblesse do thine observance, 

And to thy lady on thy knees present 

Thy service new, and think how great pleasance 

It is to live under the obeisance 

Of her that may, with looks most kind and soft, 

Give thee the bliss that thou desirest oft. 

April 27 

Be diligent, awake, obey, and dread, 
Be not too wild in all thy countenance, 

But meek and glad, and this thy nature feed 
To do each thing that may give her pleasance, 



jftora Cransmuta 63 

Wlicn thou shalt sleep, have aye in remem- 
brance 
Her image true, which may with looks so soft 
Give thee the bliss that thou desirest oft. 

And if so be that thou her name should find 
Written in book, or else upon the wall, 

Look that thou make, as servant true and kind, 
Thine obeisance, as she were there withal; 
Feigning in love is breeding of a fall 

From the grace of her whose looks so kind and 
soft 

May give the bliss that thou desirest oft. 

Chaucer. (Dream.) 

April 28 

THE FLOWER AND THE LEAF 

Indeed, my child, quoth she, this is the truth ; 

For knights should ever be persevering 
To seek their honor without feint or sloth, 

From well to better in all manner thing; 
In sign of which with leaves for aye lasting 

They are rewarded after their degree, 

With living green which may not withered be. 

April 29 

But aye it keeps its beauty fresh and green, 
For there is not a storm may them deface, 



64 jflora Cransmuta 

Nor hail nor snow, rough wind nor frosts so 
keen, 

Because they have this property and grace. 
And for the flower, within a little space 

Will all be lost, so simple of nature 
It is, that it no grievance may endure, 

And every storm will blow it soon away. 

Chaucer. 



April 30 

THE RIVER 

The simple-hearted shepherd, 

On the snowy mountain-side 
Grown bent and hoary-headed, 

His wonder cannot hide, 
When he gazes mute and wistful 

On the shadowy little spring 
Of the Padus, as he listens 

While a traveller will sing 
All its praises, how the Adda 

And Ticino it receives, 
How it hastens proud and ample 

To the sea, and how it leaves 
Foam and thunder on its course, 
And is given the crown of force. 

Chiabrera. 



JHora Ctan0muta 65 

May 1 

SONG 

Is there a soft green lawn 

Where heaven its dew may shed, 
Where every day and dawn 

Some new flower lifts its head, 
Where one in handfuls may 
Pluck daisy and clover. gay, 
There would I make the way 

For thy dear foot to tread ! 
****** 
Is there a dream of love, 

All perfumed with the rose, 
Where every day may move 

Some sweet thing to disclose, 
A dream that God may bless, 
Where soul to soul may press, 
Oh! I'd make that the nest 

Where thy heart should repose ! 

Victor Hugo. 

May 2 

ARION 

What sea knows not Arion, or what land? 
His song made even running waters stand. 
Often a wolf that chased a lamb would stay 
Held by his voice, or lamb fell easy prey. 



66 jHora Crangmuta 

Oft did the dogs and hares together lie, 
And stag and lion listening stood close by ; 
The chattering crow and owl allayed their 

strife, 
The dove and eagle led harmonious life. 
Cynthia herself was by thy strains deceived, 
Wondrous Arion, so that she believed 
It was Apollo's voice her ears received. 
Arion's name filled the Sicilian land, 
And captured even the Ausonian strand. 



May 3 

From thence returning home, Arion came, 
The ship all filled with riches he had gained. 
Perhaps the winds and waters made thee fear, 
Unhappy one; but safer far, we hear, 
The sea was than the ship, alas ! 'tis clear. 
For lo ! the pilot stood with unsheathed sword, 
And all the crew were armed with one ac- 
cord. 
"What means this sword? O pilot, guide 

thy ship ! 
These are not arms that fit thy fingers' grip," 
Arion cries in fear, yet hastes to say: 
" I ask not for my life, but only pray 
For leave to take my lyre, and sing one lay." 
They give consent, and smile at such delay. 



Jflora Cransmuta 67 

May 4 

He takes his crown, suited for Phoebus' hair, 
His pall, twice tinged with Tyrian dye, to 

wear ; 
His lyre, struck by his hand, returned its 

sound, 
In mournful numbers floating far around, 
Like dying swan pierced by an arrow wound. 
Then all adorned he leaps into the waves, 
The water dashing o'er the ship he leaves. 
Lo ! faithful more than all, or so they say, 
A dolphin placed his curved back in the way, 
Arion rides secure, and sings his pay, 
Smoothing the waters with his cithara. 
The gods behold the pious deed, and raise 
The dolphin to the stars, and grant them 

grace 
To welcome a new comrade to his place. 

Ovid. Fastorum, Lib. II, 83-118. 



May 5 

SNOWDROPS 

Far off I hear a sound 
Like silver bells a-ringing; 

Time has fulfilled his round, 

And Spring her feast is bringing. 

Trinius. 



68 jflora Ctansmuta 

May 6 

One alone was counted worthy 

To become a sacrifice, 
To prepare a port of refuge 

For the world that shipwrecked lies. 

Roman Breviary. 

May 7 

Lead us to light, where Thou inhabitest. 

Roman Breviary. 

May 8 

Fountain of bliss, pour forth for all Thy 
creatures. 

Roman Breviary. 

May 9 

Great joys are joined to solemn, sacred feast; 
Deep-hearted praises never yet have ceased. 

Roman Breviary. 

May 10 

DESCENT OF GABRIEL 

When Gabriel heard the task upon him laid, — 
That the dim mortal sense be not confounded, 

He for his earthly visit ready made, 
His form invisible with air surrounded: 



Jflota Cranjsmuta 69 

A human aspect, human limbs he made, 
But of celestial majesty compounded: 
He took the age just between youth and boy, 
And dressed his golden locks with rays of heav- 
enly joy. 

Tasso. 

May 11 

RINALDO'S MORNING-PRAYER 

Rinaldo climbed away from human sight, 
And, on the mount, first bending reverently, 

Lifted his thought high above every height, 
And fixed his eyes upon the eastern sky. 

" My former life," he prayed, " dark as this 
night, 
Behold, O Lord my God, with clemency ; 

Pity my faults, and on me rain thy grace, 

That a new heart in me may take its place." 

Tasso. 

May 12 

MUSIC IN THE WOOD 

He wandered on, and heard a sound meantime 
That sweetly spread itself within the grove: 

He hears a brook whose little wavelets chime, 
Beside the whispering wind, and leaves that 
move; 



70 jflora Cransmuta 

With these the plaintive lays of swans keep 
time, 
And nightingales lament them of their love ; 
Organs and lutes, and human voice in song: 
Such and so many sounds to one sound did 
belong. 

Tasso. 



May 13 

How I love to see the swallows 
At my window, every year, 
Come to bring me joyful tidings 

That sweet spring is drawing near ! 
The same nest, they whisper softly, 

Will again the same love see; 
It is only faithful lovers 

Can announce good days to thee. 

Florian. 



May 14 

MORNING IN CAMP 

The dawn was still delaying immature 
Within the east the breaking of the day, 

Not yet did earth the ploughshare hard endure, 
Not yet the shepherds to the fields made way. 



jFIota Cran0muta 71 

Among the branches the birds stayed secure, 

No bark or horn yet scared their sleep away. 
When all at once the morning trumpet's call 
Sounded to arms ! and echoes answered all. 



Tasso. Ger., Lib. XI, 19. 



May 15 



There is no need of death, 

To tame a noble heart, 

But only love and faith. 

Glory, and fame beside, 

Are not so hard a task, 

When following a dear guide. 

Love is the better part, 

And all that man would ask; 

And seeking love, one oft may find 

Immortal glory close behind. 

Third Chorus in Tasso's Aminta. 

May 16 

O Love, what death dost loosen, thou dost bind ; 

Thou art the friend of peace as he of war; 
A glorious, triumphant reign is thine, 

And while thou joinest souls without a jar, 
Thou mak'st this earth so like to> heaven above, 

Thou dost not scorn to dwell here, not afar. 
No wrath or rage abides ; each human mind 

Thou renderest placid, and all hate internal 



72 jflora Cransmuta 

Thou dost expel from hearts made soft and kind ; 

And with thy power supernal 
Dost make of mortal things a circling globe 
eternal. 

Fourth Chorus in Tasso's Aminta. 



May 17 



LOVE-LIES-BLEEDING 

Within my garden smiles 
Full many a flower glad: 

Of all that there beguiles, 
Love-lies-bleeding 
Makes me sad. 



Wherever mine eye turns, 
The scarlet flower is there; 

In glowing color burns 
Love-lies-bleeding 
Everywhere. 

My pretty neighbors stand 
And gaze with envious air, 

And whisper: " Close at hand 
Love-lies-bleeding 
Is fair!" 



JFIora Cransmuta 73 

I need not watch nor wait, 
It grows the whole day long; 

Who has in garden space 
Love-lies-bleeding 
Planted so strong? 

Mosen. 



May 18 



CHANGE 

Bright, through cloudy screen, 
Dawns our life of change. 

Hopeful and serene 

Through it let us range. 

For a passage only 

Was this life so lonely 
Given us to exchange. 

If a bright day shine, 

Joy in its full tide. 
Do the clouds decline? 

Patient still abide. 
Nought is blameless, small or great, 
E'en the hardest fate 

Has its better side. 

Fair and darksome weather 

Refresh us from above; 
Both are mixed together 

By God's wisest love : 



74 Jflora Cransmuta 

That our mind and heart 
Bravely skyward start, 
From the dust upgather. 



Voss. 



May 19 



SHEPHERD'S HYMN 



This is the Lord's own day. 
One distant bell I hear, 
Then stillness far and near; 

On the wide plain alone I stay. 

In prayer I bend my knee. 

O sweet fear ! gentle sound ! 

As if a hundred round 
All knelt and prayed with me. 

No cloud in heaven can stay ; 

Its solemn depths divide 

As if they opened wide. 
This is the Lord's own day. 

Uhland. 

May 20 

THE SEASONS 

Spring comes, and Venus ; Zephyr shakes his 

wings 
Before her footsteps, and fair Flora flings 
Colors and odors that o'erflow all things. 



JFlora Cransmuta 



75 



Next is the time for heat and dusty corn, 
And yearly winds that from the north are born. 
Autumn approaches, Bacchus and his train, 
And other winds and tempests come again ; 
Volturnus thundering on high is heard, 
And Auster strong with all his lightning stirred. 
At length the winter brings us back the snow 
And numbing stiffness, while the storm-winds 

blow, 
And Algus makes teeth chatter here below. 

Lucretius. 

May 21 

NAZARETH 

August and holy Nazareth, 

Upon thy hillside lying, 
How art thou blest with greatest guest, 

Aloof from sin and crying! 

The sun that rules the day, 

And roams the wide world over, 

No fairer sight from morn till night 
Can here on earth discover. 

The Church's chosen nest, 

The end of all our sighing, — 

From heavenly coasts the angel hosts 
Around thee still are flying. 



76 jTlora Cransmuta 

Behold the Holy Child, 

His Father's wish fulfilling! 
And by his side his Mother mild, 
Maternal joy instilling. 

May 22 

St. Joseph is at hand, 

His work is ever present, 
Joined to his spouse by thousand ties 

Of tender care incessant. 

From each of these in turn 

A tide of love outflowing 
The Child surrounds and he abounds 

In gifts of love's bestowing. 

O may that love divine 

Bind us in bond forgiving 
With peaceful sway, and take away 

All bitterness from living. 

From the Latin of Pope Leo XIII. 

May 23 

THE WATCHMAN 

Listen, all, to what I tell ! 

'Tis ten o'clock ; and all is well. 

Now 'tis time for prayer and bed; 
Let him whose conscience nought has said 
Sleep soft and sound! In heaven's height 
An Eye still watches all the night. 



Jflota Cransmuta 77 

Listen, all, to what I tell! 

'Tis eleven o'clock, and all is well. 
They who toil and labor yet, 
They who at card-tables sweat, 
Let them now their reckoning keep, 
It is high time for them to sleep. 

May M 

Listen, all, to what I tell! 

'Tis twelve o'clock, and all is well. 
If, in all this deep midnight, 
Any wake in grief and fright, — 
May God grant a rest from pain, 
And make them glad and sound again. 

Listen, all, to what I tell! 

'Tis one o'clock, and all is well. 
If, with Satan's counsel strong, 
Thieves on dark ways creep along, 
Let them go home, for Heaven sees all; 
Judgment, alas ! on them will fall. 

May 25 

Listen, all, to what I tell! 

'Tis two o'clock, and all is well. 
If any, now, before the morn, 
With gnawing care is racked and torn, — 
Poor soul, give up thy anguish sore, 
God cares, what hast thou need of, more ? 



78 jFlora Crattsmuta 

Listen, all, to what I tell! 

'Tis three o'clock, and all is well. 
The night is passing fast away ; 
He who in peace awakes this day, 
Let him thank God with joyful mind, 
Go to his work, be good and kind. 

Hebel. 



May 26 

O Bride of happy fortune, 
With every joy endowed, 

Full of all grace of wifehood, 
Lovely amidst the crowd, 

With Christ the Lord united, — 
We sing thy praise aloud. 

Roman Breviary. 



May n 

His townsmen asked Democritus one day 
What was nobility, and he replied: 

" For beasts it does in strength of body stay 
For men, in purity of habits tried." 

From the Spanish. 



JFIora Cransmuta 79 

May 28 

LIFE 

Time flies onward like the brook, 
Like the cloud flies onward time, 

Fools with sadness on it look ; 
But the wise, who for to-day 
Live, and not for morrow stay, 
Though time hasten like the wind, 
Can its wings of swiftness bind ; 

If our earthly road be short, 

If it lead us soon to port, 

Let us, while it swift uncloses, 
Strew it o'er with roses ! 

Gotz. 



May 29 

O holy Paul, most excellent, great Doctor, 
Instruct us in each wise and righteous way, 

And bear our souls with thee on high to heaven, 
Now while our faith through veil discerns the 

day, 
And Charity instead of sun must stay. 
So may eternal glory, honor, joy 
Be to the Three in One, without alloy. 

Roman Breviary. 



so iFIora Cransmuta 

May 30 

Light eternal, light most blessed, 
Dawned upon the golden day, 

Day which crowned the Prince- Apostles, 
Opening to the stars a way 

Free to all repentant sinners 

Who forsake their sins and pray. 

Roman Breviary. 

May 31 

A CALM 

Stillness rules o'er all the water, 

Motionless lies all the sea, 
At the level smoothness round him 

Looks the sailor anxiously. 
Not a breeze from any quarter, 

Deathlike stillness everywhere ! 
And throughout the endless distance 

Not the smallest ripple there. 

Goethe. 

June 1 

THE SQUIRE'S TALE 

At Sarra, in the land of Tartary, 

There dwelt a king that warred against Russie 

Through which there died full many a doughty 



jHora Cran0muta 8i 

This noble king was called Cambuscan, 
Who in his time was of so great renown, 
That there was nowhere in no region 
So excellent a lord in everything. 



This noble king, this Tartar Cambuscan, 
Had two fair sons by Elfeta his wife, 
Of which the eldest was named Algarsife, 
The other son was called Camballo. 

A daughter had this worthy king also, 
That youngest was, and called Canace: 
But for to tell you all of her beauty, 
It is not in my tongue nor my knowing, 
I dare not undertake so high a thing — 

And so befell, that when this Cambuscan 
Hath twenty winters borne his diadem, 
As he was wont from year to year I deem, 
He let the feast of his nativity 
Be cried throughout all Sarra his city. 
****** 

Full lusty was the weather and benign, 
For which the birds, against the bright sunshine, 
For the fresh season and the younge green, 
Full loud did sing all their affection. 

This Cambuscan, of which I have you told, 
In royal vestments sat on his dais, 
With diadem, full high in his palace. 



82 jFlora Cransmuta 

June % 

And so befell that after the third course, 
While that this king sat thus in his array, 
Hearing his minstrels' instruments that play 
Before him at his board deliciously, — 
In at the great hall door all suddenly 
There came a knight upon a steed of brass, 
And in his hand a broad mirror of glass ; 
Upon his thumb he had a golden ring, 
And by his side a naked sword hanging: 
And up he rideth to the highest board. 

In all the hall there was not spoke a word, 
For marvel of this knight ; him to behold 
Full busily they wait both young and old. 

This stranger knight that came thus suddenly 
All armed save his head and full richly, 
Saluteth king and queen and lordships all 
By order, as they sat there in the hall, 
With so high reverence and observance, 
As well in speech as in his countenance, 
That Gawain with his old-world courtesy, 
Though he were come again out of faery, 
Could not amend him with a single word. 

June 3 

He said: The King of Araby and Ind, 
My liege and lord, upon this solemn day 
Saluteth you as he best can and may, 
And sendeth you, in honor of your feast. 



Jflora Cransmuta 83 

By me, that am all ready at your hest, 

This steed of brass, that easily and well 

Can in the space of a day natural 

(That is to say, in four and twenty hours) 

Whercso you list, in drought or else in showers, 

Carry your body into every place 

To which your heart so willeth for to pace, 

Without a harm to you, through foul or fair, 

Or if you list to fly as high in the air 

As doth an eagle when he wills to soar, 

This same good steed shall bear you evermore 

Without a harm, till yo\i be where you list, 

(Although you sleep upon his back or rest) 

And turn again, with twisting of a pin. 

He that it wrought, he knew full many a gin, 

He waited many a constellation, 

Before he did this operation, 

And knew full many a seal and many a bond. 

June 4 

This mirror also, that I hold in hand, 
Hath such a might, that men may in it see, 
When there shall fall any adversity 
Unto your reign, or to yourself also, 
And openly, who is your friend or foe. 
And besides all, if any lady bright 
Hath set her heart on any manner wight, 
If he be false, she shall his treason see, 
And his new love, and all his subtlety 



84 jflora Crangmuta 

So openly that there shall nothing hide. 

Wherefore against this lusty summertide, 
This mirror and this ring, that ye may see, 
He hath sent to my lady Canace, 
Your all-excelling daughter that is here. 

June 5 

The virtue of this ring if ye will hear 
Is this, that if she pleases it to wear 
Upon her thumb, or in her purse it bear, 
There is no bird that flieth under heaven 
That she shall not well understand his steven 
And know his meaning openly and plain, 
And answer him in his language again : 
And every grass that groweth upon root 
She shall eke know, and whom it will do boot, 
Although his wounds were never so deep and 

wide. 
This naked sword, which hangeth at my side, 
Such virtue hath that what man that it smite, 
Throughout his armor it will carve and bite, 
Were it as thick as is a branched oak : 
And what man that is wounded with the stroke 
Shall never be whole, till that you please of grace 
To stroke him with the flat in that same place. 
This is the very truth without a gloss, 
It faileth not, while it is in your hold. 

And when this knight hath thus his tale all 

told, 



jFIota Ctansmuta 85 

He rideth out of hall, and did alight : 

His wondrous steed, which shone all sunny 

bright, 
Stood in the court as still as any stone. 
This knight is to his chamber led anon, 
And is unarmed, and to the meat is set. 

Chaucer. 



June 6 

Open your gates, ye heavens above, receive Him ! 
He comes, triumphant over death and sin. 

Roman Breviary. 



June 7 

The Cross is medicine of life, 
Safety in danger, peace in strife. 

Roman Breviary. 



June 8 

As little children tremble and take fright 
At all things in the dark, so we in light ; 
And yet in no way greater are our fears 
Than the dark terrors of their childish years. 

Lucretius. 



86 jHora Cransmuta 

June 9 

The dove's soft plumage, lying round its neck 
And on its head, varies with every sunbeam. 
For now it shows as red as any ruby, 
And now it changes with the changing moment, 
And seems to mingle emeralds with the blue. 

Lucretius. 

June 10 

As a great oak on Taurus' height extending 
Its arms, or pine with oozing gum and cones, 

When the fierce whirlwind, all its force expend- 
ing* 
Tears it from out the ground with roots and 
stones : 

Prone it descends, and drags adown all things 
both small and great: 

So fall the mighty ones of earth, and none can 
stay their fate. 

Catullus. 

June 11 

The oak is strong that spreads its arms on Tau- 
rus' summit high, 

And the great pine with oozing bark and cones 
against the sky ; 

But let some conquering whirlwind come, borne 
onward in its wrath, 



JFIota Cran0muta 87 

It tears them up with all their roots, and sweeps 

them from its path; 
Prone do they fall, and downward drag all 

growth both far and near: 
So fall the mighty ones of earth, no more we see 

them here. 

Catullus (Second Version). 



June 12 

ON THE GARDENS OF JULIUS 
MARTIAL 

The few, small acres of my Julius Martial 

More blest than all the Hesperid gardens fair, 
Lie on the Mount Janiculan extended. 

Wide grottoes hang along the hillsides there, 
And on the top, with gentle swell ascending, 

One breathes a milder and serener air ; 
E'en when the valley-lands are veiled and misty, 

The sun shines with peculiar brightness there. 
The slender towers of the lofty villa 

Rise gently to the pure and starry air. 

Hence one can see the seven hills triumphant, 
And estimate the length and breadth of Rome, 

The Alban Mount and Tuscan, and cool places 
That lie beyond the city heat and foam, 

Fidenae old, Rubra the small, and further, 
Anna Perenna's apple-orchard home. 



88 jflora Ctansmuta 

June IS 

From hence the traveller on the Way Flaminian, 

Or the Salarian, plainly can be seen, 
With silent chariot, and no wheel molesting 

Our soft and gentle dreams breaks in between ; 
Nor are they broken by the cries of sailors 

Nor porters' clamor, though so near are seen 
The Mulvian Bridge, and all the ships that 
swiftly 

Pass over sacred Tiber's waters green. 

This lovely farm, or rather house we'll call it, 

Still further is commended by its lord; 
So hospitable and so free its welcome 

That thou wouldst think it was thine own 
award, 
Or deem it home of pious King Alcinous, 

Or what Molorchus lately could afford. 
You who think these but things of small impor- 
tance, 
Go conquer cool Praeneste's meadows all 
With hundred ploughs, or give the slopes of 
Setia 
To but one colonist his own to call. 
To be preferred to these, in my opinion, 
Are Julius Martial's acres few and small. 

Martial. 



Jflora Cransmuta 89 



June 14 



Old things recede, and all things are made new, 
Hearts, voices, deeds, are renovated all. 

Roman Breviary. 



June 15 

Heart, my heart, be not so shaken, 

Strong and brave, endure thy fate ; 

For another spring, though late, 
Brings thee back what winter's taken. 
Much, is yet for thee remaining, 

And the world is still so fair ! 

Heart, my heart, all that is there 
Mayst thou love, thyself maintaining. 

Heine. 

June 16 

Supernal Author of mankind, 
Thou Who hast all things designed, 
Earth brings forth at Whose behest 
Race of reptile and wild beast, 
Bodies of strange creatures vast 
Through the tract of ages past, 
To prepare for man at last: — 
Give us grace in Thy employ, 
Give reward of endless joy; 



90 jflora Crangmuta 

O 1 repel all base desire 
That can urge with stealthy fire, 
Either thought or act inspire ; 
Make our warring strife to cease, 
Closer draw the bonds of peace. 

Roman Breviary. 



June 17 

O marvel ! infant Love that scarce is born, 
Already spreads his wings abroad and flies: 

All armed he triumphs, laughing us to scorn, 
And grows before our eyes. 

N.EVITJS. 



June 18 



Anna mine, sweet Anna, ever 
New and brighter, yet the same, 

Sweetness more and more I gather, 
Only saying thy dear name. 

Everywhere I try and prove, 

Neither here on earth can move, 

Or in harmony above, 

One sole thing of sweeter frame. 

Heaven and earth but one thing say, 

And my heart says that alway. 

Strozzi. 



jHora Cransmuta 91 

June 19 

Our talk is not of others' house or race, 

Nor if the dancing hare danced well or ill, 
No, but of things that more ourselves may grace, 

Concern us more, and which 'tis evil still 
If we know not: is man made truly blest 
By riches or by honor? what is best 
To start a friendship, profit or the right? 
And what the nature is of good and what its 
height. 

Horace. 



June 20 

The mighty ocean awaits us now : 

Let us go far off to the happy isles, 

To the blessed shores where the harvest smiles, 

Where the soil, unploughed, rich abundance 

pours, 
Where the vine unpruned hangs its clustered 

flowers, 
Where the olive always ripe is found, 
And the tender fig adorns its bough. 
Wild honey drops from the ilex round, 
And with silver foot the limpid rill 
Descends from mountain and lofty hill. 

Horace, Epod. 16. 
through Italian translation. 



92 jflora Cransmuta 

June 21 

FRIENDSHIP 

Friendship divine, from heavenly elevation, 
Down to the earth that begs for thee descend- 
ing, 
And for its wounds in kindest love extending 

The peaceful balsam of soft consolation, — 
Glory of us poor mortals, 

All hail! thou dost remove from human living 
Full half of all its evils ; 

And of its good, a kind refreshment giving, 
Thou art the only part that in full measure 
Renewest all our quickly-passing pleasure. 

Don Alberto Lista. 



June 22 

LOVE 

Tell me, my heart, my burning heart, 
What is this word called love? 

— It is two souls and but one thought, 
Two hearts in one that move. 

Tell me from whence this love may come? 

— It comes because it grows ! 
But tell me why love flies away? 

— 'Tis not love if it goes ! 



Jflora Cran0muta 93 

June 23 

Tell me what is the truest love? 

— What in another joys. 

And what's the most unconquered love? 

— What makes the smallest noise. 

How is it that its riches grow? 

— In giving all away. 

And how does all its ardor speak? 
It loves — it does not say. 

Anon. 



June 24 

TO JUVENAL 

Whilst thou perhaps, O Juvenal, dost wander 

Within the clamorous Suburra street, 
Or climbest up the hill of Queen Diana, 

Or on each Coelian mount fatigue thy feet ; 
While at the threshold of the rich and great 

Thy toga gives all breeze that thou canst 
meet ; — 
Me Bilbilis receives, and makes a rustic 

Once more, Decembers many passing by, 
Bilbilis, proud of all its gold and iron, 

And here, with pleasant labor, lazily 
I cultivate Botrodes and Platea, 

Rough names that suit the Celtiberian sky. 



94 JFloca Cransmuta 

June 25 

Long sleep and sound is mine, and often lasting 

Until the third hour of the morning break, — 
You see that now at last I quite repay me 

For thrice ten years I had to watch and wake. 
A toga is unknown here, robes are taken 

From off the nearest place, some broken chair ; 
And when I rise, a splendid fire awaits me, 

Built from dry branches that my oaks can 
spare. 
The farmer's wife crowns this with many an 
olla, 

And her good husband watches over all, 
Gives to the boys their tasks, and asks permis- 
sion 

To cut for them their length of locks that fall. 
Thus would I live, while all my days pass by, 

And thus, O Juvenal, here would I die. 

Martial. 



June 26 

RONDO 

Return, dear ; too long is thy stay : 
It brings me but sorrow and pain. 
I need thee each hour of the day. 
Return, dear ; too long thy delay : 



jflora Cransmuta 95 

There is no one on whom I can stay, 
None will help till thou comest again. 
Return, dear, too long thy delay; 
It brings me but sorrow and pain. 

Froissart. 



June 27 

TRIOLETS 

Good it is to gaze upon her, 
She's so gracious, kind, and fair ! 
For the gifts and graces in her, 
All her praises do declare. 

Who can weary looking on her? 
Still her beauty grows more rare; 
! how good to gaze upon her, 
She's so gracious and so fair! 

Here on land and over ocean, 
Lady bright or damsel rare, 
Know I none so perfect fair — 
'Tis a dream to think upon her: 
O! how good to gaze upon her! 

Charles d'Orleans. 



jflora Ctansmuta 



June 28 

SONG MATERIAL 

On my darling's pretty eyes 

I write Canzonettas; 
On her mouth curved Cupidwise 

I write gay Terzinas ; 
On her cheek where the dimple lies 

I write splendid Stanzas ; 
And if my darling had a heart, 

A pretty Sonnet should play its part. 

Heine. 



June £9 

LOVE 

Love held the world safe in its arm, 
The child lay there all still and warm. 
But ah! the child fled soon away, 
And Love looked on in sad dismay ; 
Childhood's so rich in innocence, 
And worldly wisdom poor in sense: 
Nothing but thoughts in endless strife, 
Like swarm of bees outflown from hive ; 
pitying Love, descend and come, 
And take thy child back to its home. 

Ruckert. 



JFIora Cransmuta 97 



June 30 

Lovely flower, thou dost remind me 

Of my lady's blushing face, 
In like fetters thou dost bind me 

When I look upon thy grace. 
For her beauteous smile, 

Her serene regard, 
Blindly all the while 

I gaze and gaze so hard. 
But the morning flies, 
Dear rose, and storms arise, 
Storms that will destroy, 
With thee, my life and joy. 

Strozzi. 

July 1 

Sprinkle me, Lord, with hyssop, 
All my sins to wipe away, 

Wash me in Thy sacred fountain, 
Cleanse this soul, I humbly pray. 

Roman Breviary. 

July 2 

ITALIAN FOLK-SONG 

My Nani dear walks in the field, 
Before his steps the grasses yield, 
They bow their heads and reverence make ; 
Their hearts love long for patience's sake. 



98 jHora Crattsmtita 

July 3 

ON A BAS-RELIEF OF CUPID SET OVER 
A FOUNTAIN 

In vain, O sculptor, dost thou carve 

Love's form above this fountain-place: 

For all its waters, gushing forth, 
The flames of Love cannot efface. 

Zenodotus. 

July 4 

AN OLD COURTIER 

Old Crispus never swam against the stream, 
Nor was he one to speak his mind, nor deem 
That he must hang his life on truth. Not he. 
Thus in base safety did he live to see 
Full man}' a winter, until came at last 
His eightieth solstice, and with that he passed. 

Believe it basest crime to choose 

Breath before honor, and to lose 

For this poor life, the things for which we live. 

Juvenal. 



July 5 



TREASURE-TROVE 

Into the woodland 
I strolled one day; 

Nothing I sought there 
But idle play. 



July 6 



jFIora Cran0muta 99 

I saw in the shadow 

A sweet flower He, 
Like a star of brightness 

Its opened eye. 

I wished to pluck it, 

But gently it said: 
" I shall wither away 

All broken and dead ! " 

With its tender rootlets 

I dug it out, 
And bore to my garden 

And little house. 

Again I set it 

In quiet place, 
And now it branches 

And flowers apace. 

Goethe. 



THE BEE 



In the shadow of a lime-tree 
Silvia sat, with Phillis fair; 

I was with them and I'll tell you, 
If you can a moment spare, 

What I saw ; for on a sudden 

There came flying through the air 



ioo jFIora Cransmuta 

One of Sylvia's bees that hunted 

Through the flowery meadows there, 
Seeking honey ; and on Phillis, 

On her cheek with blushes rare, 
Settling, — seeming to declare 

It was redder than the roses, — 
Stung poor Phillis unaware. 

Then we brushed and drove him from her, 
And she wept in sad despair. 

" Do not cry," said gentle Sylvia, 
" I can take away the sore." 

So she murmured mystic verses, 
Words I never heard before, 

On the wound her kisses pressing. 
Wonderful to tell! no more 

Phillis wept, for pain departed. 
Either 'twas the magic lore 

Of the wondrous charm, or, rather, 
Those sweet lips that I adore. 

Tasso. 



July 7 

Who believes in Christ must suffer indeed; 
Suffering prays for help in need, 
Prayer asks to be comforted, 
Comfort thanks the Lord who bled, 
Thankfulness then will teach another, 
Tries his best and converts his brother, 



Jflota Ctangmut a 101 

Promises comfort and strength without meas- 
ure; 

Who follows this course as his greatest treas- 
ure, 

He runs the right way ever and aye, 

Till he reaches blessedness on high. 

Luther. Latin Verses on the Right use of 
the Psalms. 



July 8 

EVENING BY THE SEA 

O sea in evening-glow! 

Beside thy quiet shore, 
After long days of woe, 

I feel a child once more. 

My heart forgets the aim 

It sought so wearily, 
And every groan is changed 

To softened melody. 

Only a gentle sigh 

Still glides throughout the mind, 
As on the quiet sea 

One white sail we may find. 

Alfred Meissner 



102 jFlota Cransmuta 

July 9 

Who shall be Master? 

Who can invent. 
Who shall be Journeyman? 

Who works with content. 
Who shall be Scholar? 

Every one at his bent. 

Johannes Agricola 

July 10 

Maker of men, who orderest all things well, 
Behold thy creatures who from right have 
strayed ; 
O guide us back, our wrong desires repel, 
In mercy break the chains our guilt has 
made; 
And in their stead let gifts of grace distil, 
And bonds of peace hold each to other still. 

Roman Breviary 

July 11 

Celestial city of the blest, 

Vision of peace and joy and rest, 

Thy gates of pearl are open wide, 

Open to all on every side; 

But narrow path and steepest way 

Leads from our darkness to thy day. 

Roman Breviary 



jflora Cransmuta 103 

July 12 

Cowardly thinking, 
Wavering, sinking, 
Womanish crying, 
Despairing and sighing 
Ward off no evil, 
Leave thee a slave ! 



Against hostile might 
Valiant to fight, 
Yielding thee never, 
But full of force ever, 
This brings a blessing, 
The Gods help the brave. 

Goethe. 



July 13 

ON VIRGIL'S BIRTHDAY 

O Ides of May, ye saw Mercurius born, 
The Ides of August hears Diana's horn, 
October's Ides has Maro consecrated; 
Keep the two first, both this and that in turn. 
Ye who great Maro's birth have celebrated. 

Martial. 



104 jflora Cransmuta 

July 14 

THE PHOENIX 

"Tis said that only the Arabian bird, 
The phoenix, can regenerate itself — 
It does not feed on herbs or seeded corn, 
But on the tears of incense does it live, 
And on all sweet and aromatic juices: 
And when its life has filled five centuries, 
Or to an oaktop or the very summit 
Of some tall, tremulous palm it takes its flight, 
With beak and claws to fabricate its nest. 
Then on the same it piles full many a layer 
Of cassia, nard, and cinnamon, and myrrh; 
And lying down on the constructed pyre, 
It is consumed, and dies amidst the odors. 
Then, so the story goes, the new-born phoenix, 
That it may be preserved to equal age, 
Springs up renewed from the maternal ashes ; 
And when it has acquired sufficient strength 
To bear the weight, it gently separates 
From off the tree its nest, both tomb and cradle, 
And flying through the air to Egypt's shores, 
It piously transports it, and at threshold 
Of the bright temple of Hyperion hangs it. 

Ovid. Translated into Italian by Bondi. 



jFIora Ctanamuta 105 

July 15 

MADRIGAL 

Cool and tranquil lay the fountain, 

Love's own fount, he showed one day, 
While the woods and hills were burning 

In the noontide's dazzling ray. 
I, who longed for shade and coolness, 

Swiftly ran, but dared not stay ; 
Such sweet beauty lay around it, 

I would not disturb its sway — 
But I lingered, gazing fondly, 

Standing on the shady bank, 
All intent to hear the murmur 

-As the bubbles rose and sank. 
Sweet refreshment for my anguish ! 

Now no longer hard to bear 
Passion seemed, nor death, nor longing — 

All ye icy clouds, beware! 
Hence, all dark and gloomy weather! 

That this water bright and fair, 
With the shadows that surround it — 

No less dear beyond compare, — 
Joy and gladsomeness may bring, 
Till the woods and meadows sing. 

G. Steozzi. 



106 jFlora Cransmuta 



July 16 



MAY MORNING 

How radiant shineth 
Fair Nature to-day! 

With laughing meadows 
And sunbeams gay ! 

From every twig 

The flowers outrush, 

And a hundred voices 
From every bush, 

And joy and rapture 

From every breast. 
earth, O sunlight ! 

How happy and blest ! 

O love, loving! 

So golden-bright! 
Like clouds of morning 

On yonder height. 

Thou crownest the fields 
With blessing and mirth, 

With flower-fragrance 
Thou fillest the earth. 

O maiden, dear maiden, 

How love I thee ! 
How shining thine eyes are ! 

How lovest thou me ! 



jTIota Cransmuta 107 

So does the lark love 

Song and the air, 
So do the flowers love 

Heaven's dewdrops fair, 

As I give thee all 

My heart's full dower, 
And thou givest me joy, 

And youth, and power 

For newer songs, 

And for dancing feet. 
May love and blessing 

For thee still meet! 

Goethe. 



July 17 

To earthly bodies cometh heavenly strength, 
And only after battle, peace at length. 

Roman Breviary. 



July 18 

Through pathways chosen for us lead our feet; 
Smooth ways or rough, Thou knowest what is 
meet. 

Roman Breviary. 



108 jflora Crattsmuta 

July 19 

This, the work of our salvation, 

When we all were stained with crime, 

God accomplished through the Saviour, 
In the plenitude of time. 

On the Cross the Lamb is lifted, 

Immolated for our sake, 
By our sins nailed there and wounded, 

Death most bitter to partake. 

Roman Breviary. 



July 20 

COLUMBUS 

The soul not chosen for a lofty fate 

Neglects magnanimous and mighty tasks, 
But a great heart great labors only asks, 

Fatigue rejoices it, however great. 

Nor does the frail restraint of vulgar fame 

Hold back the course of spirit pure as flame. 

Thus for long time did basest ways o'erwhelm, 
When Europe proudly scorned a noble hope ; 
People and King despised with equal scope 
The naked sailor promising a realm; 
But where the waves of unknown oceans roll, 
He urged the unconquered prow to his own 
goal. 



jflora Crangmuta 109 

July 21 

And as a man hastes homeward out of breath, 
So he set all his sails upon his mast, 
Rushed through the sea, sustained its tem- 
pests' blast, 
Conquered the crude imaginings of death ; 
Then when the battle of the ocean passed, 
Looked on the wondrous fabled land at last. 

Then from his hollow ship swift to alight, 
He prints his footstep firm on the new world, 
While through the air as quickly is unfurled 
The banner of the Cross, heaven's sign so 

bright ; 
And kneeling low, he gives example due, 
Adoring it with all his vessel's crew. 

Chiabeera. 

July 28 

LONGING 

A pine-tree standeth lonely 

In the North on a barren height. 

It slumbers, while the snowstorms 
Envelop it in white. 

It dreams of a fair palm-tree, 

Far off in Eastern land, 
That still and lonely mourneth 

On its burning rocky strand. 

Heine. 



no jFlora Cransmuta 

July 23 

A ROSY WREATH 

O fragrant crown, whether thy roses come 
From Paestum, or from Tiber's fields, or 
where 

The Tuscan land is rosy with thy bloom; — 
Whether the peasant in some garden fair 
Of far Praeneste plucks thee, or in rare 

Campanian land thou art the chief est prize; — 

To make thee loveliest in Sabinus' eyes, 

Tell him thou com'st from my Nomentan 
home. 

Martial. 



July M 

SONG 

Darling, go see if the rose 

That this morning comes to disclose 

Its crimson robe to the sun, 
Will not lose at the twilight hour 
All the folds of its rosy dower, 

And its color, like yours alone. 
Alas ! for how little space, 
Darling, it keeps its place! 

Its beauty must fade and leave. 



Jflota Cransmuta 111 

O Nature is cruel, be sure, 
Since such lovely flowers may endure 
Only from morn till eve. 



Then, darling, list to my word: 
While yet you blossom abroad 

In beauty and freshness gay, 
Rejoice, rejoice in your youth! 
Old age cometh fast, in truth, 

Like the rose, to take it away. 

Ronsaed. 



July 25 

FIVE THINGS 

What shortens time for me? 

Activity. 
What makes it longer than one can guess? 

Laziness. 
What brings one into trouble? 

Waiting for double. 
How is victory sought? 

By no long thought. 
How is honor decreed? 

By taking good heed. 

Goethe. 



11 2 JFlora Ctangmuta 

July 26 

BOAT-SONG 

" O boatman ! " cries Lisette, 

" I would cross the ferry there ; 
But alas ! I am too poor 

To pay you any fare." 
Colin gives answer due: 
" Come all the same, my dove, 
And swift may the boat go 
That carries my love." 

" I return," says Lisette, 

" To my father's own land ; " 
" Do you think," Colin cries, 

" He would give me your hand ? " 
The maiden makes answer: 

" That one can but prove ; 
And swift may the boat go 

That carries my love." 

And now after marriage, 

At work in his boat, 
Colin still is the best 

Of all husbands afloat. 
And always he sings, 

Other songs all above: 
" Oh, swift may the boat go 

That carries my love." 

E. de Planaud. 



JFIota Cran0muta 113 

July 27 

FORTUNIO'S SONG 

Think not I will breathe 

The sweet name I adore, 
For an empire I would not, 

Though you should implore. 

In the dance we will sing, 
And keep time with our feet, 

That I love her and she 
Is as fair as the wheat. 

I do all that her fancy 

Would have me to do, 
If she wishes my life, 

I would give it her too. 

I will bear all the ills 

Of a passion unknown, 
With heart torn and bleeding, 

Until my last groan. 

But too much do I love 

To dare speak or proclaim; 

I will die for my dear one, 
And not breathe her name. 

Alfred de Musset. 



114 jflora Ctansmuta 

July 28 

Upright of life and free from stain of evil, 
One needs not Moorish javelin nor crossbow, 
Nor quiver heavy with envenomed arrows, 
Fuscus, dear comrade, 

Whether the way lies through the stormy 
Syrtes, 
Or through the most inhospitable country 
Caucasus, or where flows the wondrous, fabled 
River Hydaspes. 
For a fierce wolf within the Sabine forest, 
While I was singing of Lalage, and straying 
Far beyond bounds, unguarded, free and care- 
less, — 
Fled from my footstep : 

Such monster neither proud and warlike 
Daunias 
Keeps in its sides all thick with winter oak-trees, 
Nor does the land of Juba bear, the arid 
Nurse of the lions. 

Place me where now upon the barren deserts 
No tree is ever cooled by summer breezes, 
Within that zone where cloudy and ill weather 
The sky sends downward: 

Place me wherever the fierce sun burns nearest, 
Within a land denied to mortal dwellings, 
Still will I sing my Lalage sweet-smiling, 
Sweetly discoursing. 

Horace. I, 22. 



jFlota Crawsmuta 115 

July 29 

POLYPHEMUS TO GALATEA 

Galatea, hither come : what pleasure canst dis- 
cover 

Within the waves, while here on land the smiling 
spring will hover? 

Beside the brooks the earth pours forth its 
flowers of varied hue, 

And the white poplar leans its head the hill- 
side cave to view; 

The grapevine weaves its tendrils soft, and 
winds them o'er and o'er; 

O hither come; leave the wild waves to beat 
upon the shore. 

Virgil. Bucolics IX, 39. 

July 30 

CONFIDENCE 

As far as earth extends her zone 

The fruit of love shines bright, 
And every heart obtains its own, 

If it but seeks aright. 
Let all thy careful sorrows go, 

The heavens are ever blue ; 
Pleasure and pain change to and fro, 

Trust in the good and true. 

Tieck. 



116 jTIora Ctansmuta 

July 31 

MY NORMANDY 

When hope again springs fresh and bright, 

And winter flies from us afar; 
And o'er our France with sky so light, 

The sunbeams soft and warmer are ; 
When nature once again is green, 

When swallows back to us return, 
Once more I'll see my Normandy, 

It is the land where I was born. 

I've seen Helvetia's alpine fields, 

Her chalets and her glaciers rare ; 
I've seen Italian skies and shields, 

And gondolas in Venice fair; 
Each country bright and lovely seems, 

But still I say: No place or bourne 
Is fairer than my Normandy, 

It is the place where I was born. 

There is a time in every life 

When fancies die and have an end, 
A time when soul can cease its strife, 

And needs remembrance as a friend; 
When my poor muse, grown chill and cold, 

Turns all my love-songs into scorn, 
I will go see my Normandy, 

It is the land where I was born. 

F. Berat. 



jFlora Ctan$muta 117 

August 1 

CLOUDS 

Tender little cloudlets hover 

High in heaven here and there, 

Brightest life and easy labor, 
Unknown meanings they declare. 

On these white and moving cloudlets 
Strikes at eve a sunbeam fair, 

And the sun spins with its distaff 
Golden webs throughout the air. 

So within thine own sweet heaven, 
Love and goal of all my life, 

Floats a cloudy veil and turmoil 

Made of thoughts and motions rife. 

With thy soft and radiant glances 
Thou dost order what is there, 

All to snare unhappy mortals, 
Making golden nets and rare. 

Lceben. 

August 2 

JETNA 

The waving fires of Mtna how often have we 

seen, 
The Cyclops' broken furnaces and ragged cliffs 

between ! 



118 jFlora Ctansmuta 

Great balls of flame burst glowing forth, and 

lava's liquid stream, 
Till all the fields are covered wide, and beds 

of ashes seem; 
Far-off Germania hears the sound of battle in 

the sky, 
And tremble with unwonted fear the Alpine 

mountains high. 

Virgil. Georgics I, 471-475. 



August 3 

I know the mind of womankind: 

What you wish, they will not have it; 

What you wish not, all the more they crave it. 

Terence. 



August 4 

Out of life two ways are opened for thee : 
To the Ideal leading, and to Death. 

Choose the first before Fate comes and drives 
thee 
On the second swift and out of breath. 

Schiller. 



jFlora Cransmuta 119 

August 5 

TALK OF THE WAVES 

Hear one wave say to another : 
"Oh, how quick we pass, my brother ! " 
Hear the answer back again : 
"Shortest life means shortest pain ! " 

R. Tanner. 

August 6 

PROCESSION IN HONOR OF JUNO 

Since in Falerian orchardlands was born 
My wife, I've seen the walls by sieges torn 
In proud Camillus' conquest ; and 'tis there 
The priests in Juno's name their feast prepare 
With famous games and bulls from pastures 

fair. 
Great is the gain if one delays to know 
The rite, though steep the pathway from below. 
Here is a grove, ancient and dark with trees, 
Its very look tells you a god dwells there. 
Within it stands, for incense and for prayer, 
An old-time altar, without art to please. 
Here when the pipe begins its solemn song, 
The annual pomp comes on o'er carpets strewn 

along. 
The snowy heifers slow are led among 
The people's plaudits, and the bullocks tread 
Not now with threatening fronts, creating dread. 



120 jFlora Cransmuta 

August 7 

Then lesser victims, swine from humble stye, 
And the herd's leader, with horns curving high ; 
A kid, sole object of great Juno's hate, 
Said to have found her in the deep woods late, 
And thus disclosed her flight and changed her 

fate. 
Now is the culprit shot at by the boys, 
And given as prize, received with joyful noise. 
To meet the goddess, young and timid girls 
Run through the ways, strewing their robes in 

whirls. 
The maidens' locks are held by gems and gold, 
Their jewelled sandals shine through falling 

fold; 
Veiled in the Grecian manner, robed in white, 
They bear the sacred vessels to the height. 
The golden pomp the people all admire, 
Juno herself follows the sacred fire. 

The rite is Greek. When Agamemnon died, 
Halesus left his blood-stained country-side, 
And, after wandering over sea and land, 
Founded this city with propitious hand; 
Junonian worship here he taught his race, 
May it bring me, and all his people, grace ! 

Ovid. Amorum Liber III, Elegia XIII. 



jTlota Ctangmuta 121 

August 8 

TO HIS BOOK 

To whom wilt be a gift, my little book? 
Make haste to choose a patron ; round thee look, 
Lest they should carry thee to kitchen black, 
Where tunny-fish need damp papyrus-back, 
Or horns for salt or pepper shalt thou make. 
Ah! to Faustinus wisely dost thou take 
Thy way. Now cedar-perfumed shalt thou go, 
And wear a double crown about thy brow, 
In painted roller-ends thou shalt rejoice, 
Thy cover shall be all of purple choice, 
Thy index proud red-lettered shall appear: 
With this kind friend, no Critic shalt thou fear. 

Martial. 



August 9 

You who would seek sure ease from hardest bur- 
dens, — 
Whether your own guilt stings your anxious 
breast, 
Or pain cling to you as a closest comrade, — 
Come, bear an easy yoke and take your rest. 
Roman Breviary. 



122 jflora C*an$muta 

August 10 

EVENING HYMN 

On smooth-gliding wheel the sun 
Makes the day to darkness run; 
So with silent step and fast 
Life draws near its goal at last. 

Christ, who, nailed upon the cross, 
Stretched thine arms to all the lost, 
Make us love the cross, and then, 
When thy voice is heard again, 
Give us grace that when we die, 
We in thine embrace may lie. 

Roman Breviary. 



August 11 

WANDERER'S NIGHT-SONG 

Thou who art in highest heaven, 

Who canst still our every grief, 
And to one in doubled sorrow 

Sendest doubly-kind relief, — 
I am weary of this struggle! 

Why is all this joy and smart? 
Sweetest peace and sweetest quiet, 

Come, O come to my poor heart ! 

Goethe. 



jTIota Cransmuta 123 

August 12 

Joyful 

And sorrowful, 

Thoughtful again; 

Trembling, 

Dissembling, 

In quivering pain ; 
Heaven-high rejoicing, 

Cast down from above, 
Happy alone 

Is the heart that can love. 

Goethe. 



August 13 

The bread of angels is made food for men. 

Roman Breviary. 



August 14 

BOAT SONG 

Ocean so bright and fair, 
Shore so beloved 
Drive all his troubles 
From heart of the sailor. 
Come to my little bark, 
Swift as a swallow, 
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia. 



124 jFlora Cransmuta 

August 15 

ON THE GARDENS OF MARCELLA, HIS 
WIFE 

These groves, this fountain, and this shady 
vine, 

This stream in channel flowing ever clear ; 
These beds of roses yielding not the palm 

To those of Paestum that bloom twice a year ; 
This vegetable garden, bright and green 

In January, which no frost can bite; 
This well-stocked eel-pond, and this snowy 
tower, 

Full of its pretty pigeons just as white; 
All these are my wife's gifts, at my return, 

After an absence of seven lustres long: 
This little kingdom and this empire small 

Marcella gave, to her it did belong. 
And now, if King Alcinous should make known 

His wish to grant me all his fair domain, 
I can make answer : " I prefer my own." 

Martial. 



August 16 

By the Word did water change its nature, 
Reddening into wine at His command. 

Roman Breviary. 



JFIota Cran0muta 125 

August 17 

CAMILLA 

Last to the standard fair Camilla came, 
A warrior maid, of Volscian race and name, 
Leading a troop of horse and youthful bands : 
No expert she with distaff's twisted strands, 
But war she loved, and perils hard to meet, 
And to outstrip the winds with winged feet. 
Over the bending wheatfields could she fly, 
And never harm one blade beneath the sky; 
Or on the sea, above its swelling flood 
Dry-soled could pass, and make her footing 

good. 
Her all the youths, from house and field poured 

forth, 
Her all the mothers watch, with open mouth ; 
They mark, as swift she passes out of sight, 
How a King's purple veils her shoulders slight, 
How golden circlets wreathe her hair, and light 
A Lycian quiver hangs, pointed with myrtle 

bright. 

Virgil. JEneid VII, 805. 

August 18 

Death is the cool and quiet night, 
Life is the day so sultry bright. 
'Tis twilight now, and I sleepy grow, 
The day has made me weary so! 



126 Jflora Cransmuta 

Over my bed there rises a tree, 
And in it a nightingale sings to me ; 
He sings of love and nought beside, 
I hear it even in dreaming-tide. 

Heine. 

August 19 

THE DAWN OF DAY 

The dawn of day 
To all our woods gives back their fresh array ; 
Flora is lovelier coming back to stay ; 
The birds resume their joyous lay: 
All things to celebrate assay 

The dawn of day. 

At dawn of day 
Desire and fancy spring more bright and gay ; 
The troubadour of May 
Sings of his love when night comes clad in 

gray: 
But better, I dare say, 
At dawn of day. 

The dawn of day 
Sometimes, alas ! brings sadness and dismay. 
For night-time slips away, 
And loving hearts delay, 
When forced to break away 
At dawn of day. 

Etienne. 



Jflora Crangmuta 127 

August 20 

So does the limpid Meander among the Phrygian 
rivers 

Play, and with lapse ambiguous onward it flows 
and backward ; 

Meeting itself, it looks on the coming course of 
its waters, 

And now to its fountain source, now to the ocean 
reverting, 

It leads its uncertain waves in endless and ser- 
pentine motion. 

Ovid. Metamorphoses VIII, 163. 

August 21 

THE ARMOR 

Venus, fair goddess, came through airy clouds, 
Bringing her gifts ; and when in a far valley 
She saw her son alone by a cool river, 
She placed herself before, and thus addressed 

him: 
" Behold the gifts I promised, my son ! 
By Vulcan's art perfected ; hesitate not 
To challenge soon proud Turnus and his 

people." 
She ceased, and sought her son's embrace, and 

left him, 
Placing the radiant armor 'neath an oak. 
He, joyful in the gifts, and in such honor, 



128 jHora Cransmuta 

Cannot be satisfied, but still examines 
Each separate piece, and turns within his hands 
The flashing helmet, dreadful with its crest, 
The fatal sword, the cuirass stiff with brass, 
As terrible and great as purple cloud 
Struck by the sunrays, glowing from afar; 
Then the light greaves of gold and of electrum, 
The spear, and shield, hardest to be described. 
Virgil. vEneid VIII, 608, et seq. 



August 22 

LIKE TO LIKE 

A flower's little bell 

Came out of the ground, 
All early to blossom, 

And fair to be found. 
By came a bee, 

And sipped its sweet, 
Surely these for each other 

Were made to meet. 

Goethe. 



August 23 

O heavenly Justice ! slow to fall, but then 
So much the heavier on evil men. 



Roman Breviary. 



Jflora Cratt0muta 129 



August 24 



When thou dost look, my star, 
On the heavenly spheres afar, 
I would I were the skies, 
That thou mightst turn the blaze 
Of all thy brightest rays 
On me, and I might gaze 
Upon thy thousand beauties with 
a thousand eyes. 

Plato. Translated by Tasso. 



August 25 

Happy and blest is he who can know the causes 

of all things, 
And every mortal fear and fate that cannot be 

hindered 
Under his feet has placed, and the noise of 

Acheron greedy ! 
Fortunate too is he, who has known the gods 

of the country, 
Pan, and Silvanus old, and the sister Nymphs 

in their kindness ! 
Neither popular power, nor even the royal 

purple 
Can move his soul, nor discord of faithless, 

quarreling brethren ; 



130 jFlora Cransmuta 

Nor the Dacian descending in wrath from dis- 
tant rebellious Ister ; 
No, nor Roman affairs, and the kingdom falling 

to ruin; 
He needs not grieve for the poor, nor does he 

envy the rich man. 
Fruits that the branches offer, and crops that 

come from the meadows 
Almost at their own will, he gathers ; nor laws 

hard as iron, 
Nor all the forum's madness, nor the people's 

records affect him. 
Others may fret the shallow bays and rivers 

with galleys, 
Others may rush into battle, and enter palace 

and temple. 

Virgil. 



August 26 

THE EMPEROR HADRIAN TO HIS SOUL 

Little soul of mine, 
Hovering light and fine, 
Body's comrade, body's guest, 
In what places shalt thou rest? 
When all pallid, rigid, stripped, 
Thou no more shalt jest. 



jFlota Ctansmuta i3i 



August 27 

THE POET AND HIS MUSE 

How dark the valley grows! 
I thought a veiled form rose 
Through the misty night of May. 
I saw it float and pass 
Above the flowery grass; 
Strange revery ! and alas! 
Now it has vanished away. 



Why does my heart beat fast? 
What is this fear that has passed 

And turned my soul to a stone? 
Does some one knock at my door? 
Why does the lamp no more 

Die down, but leap at my groan? 
Heaven ! how can I tremble so ? 
Who is there? Who calls me? No. 
It is but the clock's dull blow ; 

I am poor and alone. 



Is it thy voice's call, 

O my Muse, is it thou indeed? 
The immortal flower of all, 

The only friend at need, 
Who loves me and takes my part ! 



132 jflora Cransmuta 

Yes, it is thou, my sweet, 
I hear the rush of thy feet, 
And I feel, in the night so deep, 
Thy golden garment's sweep 
And thy light overflow my heart. 

De Musset. 



August 28 

Happy the man, and likest to the gods, 
Whom glory, shining with consuming fire, 
Solicits not, nor luxury's false joy, 
But he permits his quiet days to pass 
In tranquil silence of a harmless life. 

Poeitian. 



August 29 

Thou art most like a flower, 
So lovely, pure, and fair; 

I gaze on thee, and sadness 
Steals o'er me unaware. 

I would that I could bless thee, 
That God would thee secure; 

I pray that He will keep thee 
As lovely, fair, and pure. 

Heine. 



jflora Cransmuta 133 

August 30 

ITALIAN FOLK-SONG 

O rose of roses, O rose of beauty, 
For thee I sleep not day or night, 

To think of thee is all my duty, 
Return to thee, my one delight. 

My best delight, to turn to thee, 

Ever, dear love, thy face to see. 



August 31 

TO JULIUS MARTIAL 

The things that make the happy life, 

O dearest Martial, these are they : 
A competence not won by strife, 

But left to us by will to-day ; 
A quiet mind, a healthy frame, 

A fruitful field, a constant hearth; 
No law-suit, rarely robes of state, 

Prudent simplicity and mirth. 
Friends that are equal, kinsmen kind, 

A simple table without art; 
A sober night, no cares to bind, 

Sleep that makes short the shadowy part 
A heart content, that never tires, 
Nor fears thy last day nor desires. 

Martial. 



134 jflora Cransmuta 

September 1 

THE SWAN AND THE EAGLE 

Swan: 
On the quiet waters is my dwelling, 
Where I move in circles smooth, outswelling 
Still to vanish, while they mirror ever 
Curving neck and whitest form. 

Eagle : 
I nest in cliffs and rocky ledges, 
I rush through clouds and whirlwind edges, 
Trusting to strong wings that never 
Flag in hunt or fight or storm. 



September 2 

Swan: 
By Apollo's gracious nod invited, 
In pure streams of song I bathe delighted ; 
Nestled at his feet, whene'er his singing 
Floats and falls through Tempe's lovely 
vale. 

Eagle : 

By the throne of Jove, I sit, all brightening ; 

When he nods to me, I bring his lightning; 

Then I sink in sleep, and cease my winging, 

On his staff whose terrors never fail. 



jFlora Cransmttta 135 

September 3 

Swan : 
Godlike strength and might surround and 

bind me, — 
Into Leda's arms I gladly wind me ; 
Tender hands with soft caress and clasping 
Stroke my plumage spreading all abroad. 

Eagle : 
Like a bolt from the ether I started, 
Ganymede from his comrades I parted ; 
I bore him in talons' safe grasping, 
And on high to Olympus I soared. 



September 4 

Swan : 

With foreboding gaze I watch the distance, 

Mark the stars and all their soft insistence ; 

And within me stirs a secret longing 

For a heavenly home in heavenly land. 

Eagle : 

I stretch my pinions, full of rapture, 
As if I would the sunbeams capture ; 
With the immortal race belonging, 

I turn with scorn from earthly strand. 



136 jFlora Cransmuta 

September 5 

Swan: 

Gentle lives a gentle death betoken; 
When the golden cord of life is broken, 
Tongue is loosed, and music's consecration 
Falls upon the holy, blessed time. 

Eagle : 

Death's torch is youth's gladdest renewing ; 
As a phoenix, its courses pursuing, 
The soul flies with joyous elation 
To greet its true heavenly clime. 

A. W. Schxegel,. 



September 6 

Music is one of the best and most beautiful 
gifts of God. ... It is one of the best arts. 
The notes give life to the words. They drive 
away the spirit of heaviness, as one sees in King 
Saul. . . . Music is the best refreshment for 
troubled men, since it quickens the heart, and 
makes it once more at peace with itself. 

Martin Luther. 



jHora Craosmuta 137 



September 7 



Thee before the end of day, 
Maker of all things, we pray, 
Guard us by thy clemency, 
Keep us in thy custody. 

Let all dreams recede afar, 
Phantoms dark of nightly war, 
Keep our enemy in thrall, 
Keep our bodies pure from all. 

Help us, Father, Holy One, 
With Thine own companion Son, 
With the Spirit Paraclete 
Reigning through the ages fleet. 

Roman Breviary. 



September 8 

Let us praise the holy Angels, 
Guardians of men are they, 

Whom the Father sent from heaven, 
Fragile nature's help and stay, 

That we should not yield to evil, 
Nor to passion fall a prey. 

Roman Breviary. 



138 jflora Crangmuta 



September 9' 

. . . The farmer opens the earth with his 

crooked plough and his harrow. 
This is his yearly toil; by this his country and 

children 
Calm he maintains, his bullocks too and his 

oxen. 
Rest has he none, for either the harvest loads him 

with apples, 
Or with the herd's increase; or the sheaves of 

bountiful Ceres 
Fill the furrows with wheat, and crowd his barns 

unto bursting. 
When winter arrives, Sicyonian berries he 

bruises ; 
Joyful the swine return from their acorns ; and 

arbutus ripens ; 
Autumn gives various fruit, and then is time for 

the vintage 
High on the sunny rocks to grow and ripen in 

mildness : 
All this while his children dear hang round him 

for kisses ; 
His home is purity's dwelling; his cows have 

heaviest udders : 
His kids on the pleasant grass delight to contend 

with each other. 

Virgil. Georgics II, 490-526. 



iFIora Ctansmuta 139 

September 10 

THE STARS 

The Sun, it made a circle true 

The World around; 
The little Stars said : " We will go with you 

The World around " ; 
But the Sun it scolded them : " Stay without, 
I shall burn your golden eyes all out, 

In my fiery race round the World." 

So the little Stars went to the Lady Moon, 

In the night ; 
And they said : " O queen of the clouds so 
soon 

In the night, 
Let us travel with you, for your gentle ray 
Never will burn our eyes away." 

So she made them her comrades at night. 



Now welcome, Stars and dear Lady Moon 

In the night! 
You know what the heart desires for a boon 

In the night ; 
Come and kindle your heavenly fires on high, 
That I may rejoice with you, even I, 

In the friendly joy of the night. 

Aundt. 



140 jFlora Crangmuta 

September 11 

THE DOVES 

In the myrtles' shadow green 
Mate with truest mate is seen; 
Here we flutter, and exchange 
Many kisses long; 

Search and stray, 

Coo and play, 

Yearn and range, 

Joy in wishes strong. 

Drawing Venus' car we fly, 
Pressing each to other nigh, 
All our feathers blue and soft 
Sunbeams edge like swords. 

When she smiles, 

How it beguiles ! 

Come to us oft, 

Best of rewards ! 

Turn all storms and clouds away, 
Goddess dear and kind, we pray ; 
In their modest, joyful frame 
Keep thy pair of doves. 

Keep us together 

Through the fair weather; 

Then in thine altar-flame 

Offer our loves. 

A. W. ScHLEGEL. 



JFIora Cransmuta 141 

September 12 

Three kinds there are of human minds : the one 
Can understand of its own self apart; 
The second can but understand the sum 
Of what another person may impart; 
The third nor understands by self alone, 
Nor by another's demonstration shown. 

Machiavelu. 

September 13 

THE OLD SHEPHERD 

To others poverty is vile, but dear 
To me, so that I make no quest 

For any treasure, and ambitions rare 

Have never place within my quiet breast. 

I quench my thirst only with water clear, 
In which I fear not poison foul may rest: 

And this small flock and orchard can dispense 

All food I need for table or for sense. 

Tasso. 

September 14 

Suffer in silence and endure, 
Let thy need call on God alway, 
In God despair not, but be sure 
Good fortune will come any day. 

Luther. 



142 jHora Cran0mttta 

September 15 

In sorrow joy, 

In gladness sorrow, 

Glad in the Lord, 

Sad for ourselves each morrow. 



Luther. 



September 16 

THE RAIN 

The rain, the rain has come at length! 

The thirsty vines are drinking, 
The stems and branches draw new strength, 

With drops the leaves are winking. 
The praise of water let us sing, 
For water is of life the king. 

We could not have the purple grape 

Without the help of water ; 
In vintage-time our thirst we'll slake, 

And please the wife and daughter. 
The lads and lasses dance and sing, 
As piles of grapes come tumbling in 
From baskets loaded to the brim, 

And all is mirth and laughter. 

After Armand Gottffe. 



jFlora Cransmuta 143 



September 17 



SONG 



While once I passed the meadow through, 

At eve I saw, beside the way, 
A flower all trembling wet with dew, 

A pale wild rose upon the spray. 
A bud was opening in its stead, 

All green and fresh it balanced there; 
I saw the new flower open spread ; 
The youngest seemed the loveliest head: 

A man for newest things will care. 

While once I sauntered through the vale, 
A bird was singing in the height ; 

His little brood, in storm and hail, 

Had all been swept away that night. 

And yet he sang in morning glow; 
O muse of mine, weep thou no more: 
Who loses all, has God in store, 

Has God on high, and hope below. 

De Musset. 

September 18 

A REMINDER 

Why forever search and wander? 

Look! the Good you seek is here. 
Learn to grasp at Fortune quickly ; 

Fortune ever standeth near. 

Goethe. 



144 jHora Cransmuta 

September 19 

TO MAXIMUS 

One house thou hast on the Esquiline, one on the 
hill of Diana, 
A third one rises on high on the Patrician 
Way; 
From this side thou lookest on Cybele's temple, 
from that side on Vesta's, 
Here on the modern abode of Jupiter, there 
on the old. 
Tell me where I shall find thee, and in what place 
I shall seek thee? 
He who lives everywhere, ah ! Maximus, no- 
where he lives. 

Martial,. 

September &0 

PARTING 

When two friends must be parted, 

To each a hand they lend, 
And then begins a sighing 

And weeping without end. 

But we have made no weeping, 

We sighed not Ah ! nor Oh ! 
The tears and sobs came after, 

With anguish and with woe. 

Heine. 



jHora Cransmuta 145 

September 21 

SERENADE 

O! lend from thy soft pillow 
A dreaming ear, no more ! 
With my guitar's soft playing 
Sleep on! what wilt thou more? 

With my guitar's soft playing 
The starry host that soar 
Bless old eternal feelings; 
Sleep on! what wilt thou more? 

The old eternal feelings 
Lift me on high to soar, 
Out of this earthly whirlpool ; 
Sleep on! what wilt thou more? 

From every earthly whirlpool 
Thou drawest me more and more, 
Driv'st me to outer darkness ; 
Sleep on! what wilt thou more? 

Banished to outer darkness, 
Thou hear'st me in dream, no more. 
Oh ! on thy soft white pillow 
Sleep on! what wilt thou more? 

Goethe. 



146 jFlora Cransmuta 

September &2 

COLOGNE 

In the beautiful Rhine river 
Stands mirrored all alone, 

With its stately old Cathedral, 
The holy town Cologne. 

Within the great Cathedral, 

On golden leather there, 
Is painted a wondrous picture, 

On my poor life it shines fair. 

A wreath of flowers and angels 
Clings round our Lady dear; 

Her lips and cheeks and eyelids 
Are like my sweetheart's here. 

Heine. 

September 23 

THE LOTUS 

The lotus-flower is troubled 

By the burning sunbeams bright; 
With head bent down and dreaming 

She waiteth for the night. 
The moon, he is her lover, 

To wake her with his rays, 
For him she unveils gladly 

Her fairest flower-face. 



jFlora Ctan0muta 147 

She blushes and glows and glitters 

And gazes up on high ; 
She weeps and shivers and trembles 

With loving ecstasy. 

Heine. 

September 24 

SONG 

Ninon, Ninon, why dost thy life despise? 

Time flieth fast and day succeeds to day. 
The rose of eve to-morrow faded lies. 

How canst thou live o'er whom love has no 



What matter if the day end or begin? 
When with another life within 

Our heart-beats move? 
Rosebuds, unfold. If death take you away, 
Life is but sleep, and love its dream, we say, 

We live indeed only but when we love. 

De Musset. 

September. 25 

Soldiers of the court celestial, 
Lights of all the world are these, 
All the blessed martyrs, changing 
Earthly pain for heavenly peace. 

Fourth or Fifth Century. 



148 jFlora Cransmuta 

September 26 

THE SONG OF TROILUS 

If no love is, O God! what feel I so? 

And if love is, what thing and which is he? 

If love be good, from whence may come my woe? 
If it be bad, wondrous it seems to me 
That every torment and adversity 
That comes of him I should most savory 

think, 
For aye thirst I the more, each time I drink. 

And if that at mine own desire I burn, 

From whence then comes my wailing and my 
plaint ? 

If harm so please me, wherefore plain I then? 
I know not, nor why, wearied not, I faint. 
O lively death, O sweetest harm so quaint, 
How is there in my heart such store of thee, 
But if that I consent that so it be? 

And if that I consent, I wrongfully 

Complain indeed: thus carried to and fro, 
All rudderless within a boat am I 

Amidst the sea, betwixt two winds that blow, 
And in contrary stand forevermo. 
Alas ! what is this wondrous malady ? 
For heat of cold, for cold of heat I die. 
Chaucer, translated from 
Petrarch's 102nd Sonnet. 



Jflora Cransmuta 149 

September 27 

Look not out into the distant future,, 

Take what lies at hand, and do thy best ; 

Thou must sow, if thou wouldst reap the harvest, 
Only busy hands know how to rest. 

Karl Spitta. 

September 28 

His flesh and blood He gave us, 

His fellowship in birth, 
His precious death to save us, 

Himself in heaven and earth. 

Roman Breviary. 



September 29 

Easy is the descent to Avernus, O son of An- 

chises, 
Night and day wide open the gates of Plutus 

are standing; 
But to recall the foot, and once more to ascend 

to the ether. 
This is labor and toil. A few, beloved of 

justice, 
Of Zeus, or raised on high by the might of 

excellent virtue, 
A few have succeeded. 

Virgil. ^Eneid VI, 126-129. 



150 jFlora Crangmuta 

September 30 

NIGHT 

It was deep night, and wearied ones were lying 
In placid sleep o'er all the earth; the sighing 
Of sylvan woods, and the fierce waters' crying 
Lay quiet all, while the stars rolled above 
In middle courses, and no breath did move 
In any field ; the flocks, and painted birds, 
And all that live in lakes, and all that herds 
In rough and thorny place, were softly soothing 
Hearts that forgot their labors, and were 

smoothing 
All cares away in silent sleep and night. 

Virgil. ^Eneid IV, 522-528. 
Through Caro's Italian Translation. 

October 1 

NEARNESS 

I think of thee, when the full sunbeams' bright- 
ness 

Streams on the sea ; 
I think of thee, when the moon's tender whiteness 

The brook sends back to me. 

I see thy face, when in the far-off distance 

The mists arise ; 
In the deep night, when on the narrow pathway 

The timid traveller hies. 



Jflora Ctansmuta 151 

I hear thy voice when, with a hollow murmur, 

The wave breaks on the shore ; 
In the deep forest I go oft to listen 

When all is still once more. 

I am with thee, though widest distance sever; 

Still thou art near! 
The sun is sinking, soon the stars will kindle. 

O wert thou here ! 

Goethe to Liu. 



October 2 

Not all is taken from our earthly side, 
For love still lives and grief; now 'tis denied 
Such sweetness to behold, but though bereft, 
To weep and to remember it is left. 

Petrarch. 



October 3 

The king of rivers, 
The great Eridanus, his' bed o'erflowing, 
Tore up the forests in his angry course, 
And dragged away with him both herds and 
stalls. 

Virgil. Georgics I, 481. 



152 jflora Cransmuta 

October 4 

A GIFT OF FLOWERS 

Behold, for you the forest Nymphs bring bas- 
kets full of lilies : 

For you the fountain Naiads pull bright yellow 
daffodillies, 

Pale violets and poppies tall, and for your pleas- 
ure meet 

The snowy-white narcissus flower with anise 
breathing sweet: 

Then with sweet herbs encircling all, they gather 
and enfold 

Soft hyacinth, of many bells, with saffron mari- 
gold. 

Virgil. Eclogue II, 45-50. 

October 5 

The Cross is health for every creature, 

Brightest light and truest fire, 
All the hope of all the faithful, 

All their solace and desire. 
'Tis of paradise the portal, 
Where the saints rejoice immortal, 

They who conquered in the fight ; 
Medicine for all the living, 
By its strength and virtue giving 

Wondrous gifts of healing might. 

St. Bonaventura. 



Jflora Ctansmuta 153 

October 6 

THE MADONNA DI SAN SISTO 

She bears Him to the world, and full of horror 
He gazes on the chaos of its crime, 
On the mad raging of its stormy passion, 
Its acts of folly and its waste of time, 
The pangs unceasing of its sorrow-torment, 
And all its agony of woe sublime ; 
With grief He looks : and yet His eyes are beam- 
ing 
With peaceful triumph in His love redeeming. 

Schopenhauer. 

October 7 

Jesu, who the prayer of mortals 

Lovest to receive, 
Lo, we come as suppliants asking 

Thee to help us and relieve. 

If the chains of sin have bound us, 

Quickly us restore; 
From their dreadful weight and pressure 

Save us, we implore. 

If the false, deceiving image 

Of this world that we deplore, 
Draw us to forget our heaven, — 

Save us, we implore. 



154 jflota Cransmuta 

If an adverse fate hang o'er us, 

Threatening mind and body sore, — 

Send us quiet, peaceful seasons, 
Save us, we implore. 

Save Thy children, ever crying 

In the instant fear of death, 
With Thy help may we be victors, 

Gain the last reward of faith. 

Roman Breviary. 



October 8 

Use ever truth and honesty 

Throughout thine earthly day, 

And turn aside no finger's breadth 
From God's appointed way. 

Then in green meadow smooth and plain 
Thou shalt draw peaceful breath; 

Then shalt thou without fear or pain 
Look in the face of death. 

Then shall thy sickle and thy plough 

Work easily and fine; 
While all contented singest thou 

With water as with wine. 



Jflora Cransmutet 155 

October 9 

For villains, all is hard to bear, 

Let them do what they will; 
Crime drives them swiftly to and fro, 

Nor leaves them ever still. 

The springtime never smiles for them. 

The corn-field smiles in vain; 
On craft and fraud is all their car*., 

Their wish is only gain. 

The wind that moves a single leaf 

Sends terror to their hearts, 
And after all this dream of life 

No rest the grave imparts. 

Then use thou truth and honesty 
Throughout thine earthly day, 

And turn aside no finger's breadth 
From God's appointed way. 

Thy children then will bless thy grave, 

And weep with sorrow there, 
And from their tears all fragrant flowers 

Will blossom to the air. 

Unknown. 



156 jHora Cransmuta 

October 10 

HATE AND LOVE 

Oh! surely hate is sin, 

And we shiver with terror deep, 
When its viper form within 

Uncoils from out its sleep. 
Then hear me, powers above, 

Be witness of my vow: 
By the azure eyes I love, 

By the blue sky o'er my brow; 
By that star of pearly sheen 

Whom we call by Venus' name, 
When we see its brilliance keen 

On the horizon flame; 
By Nature's grandeur and might, 

By the good Creator's power, 
By the pure and tranquil light 

That guides the traveller's hour, 
By every herb and plant, 

By forest and meadow green, 
By the endless stream of life, 

By the universe unseen, — 
I banish thee from my mind, 

Thou remnant of mad love, 
Of dark, mysterious kind, — 

Thou shalt sleep, no more to move! 
****** 

And now, O dreamer fair! 

Dear Muse, return to my arms ! 



jHora Cransmuta 157 

Sing me some joyous air, 

As when first I felt thy charms ; 
Already the dewy lawn 

Sends fragrance to greet the day ; 
Come, wake my love to the dawn, 

To pluck the flowers gay. 
See immortal Nature stir 

And rise from the veils of night ; 
We will be reborn with her 

In the first soft ray of light. 

De Musset. 

October 11 

THREE PAIRS 

Thou hast two ears, and but one mouth: 

Dost thou complain? 
Many the things that thou must hear, 

And little say again. 

Thou hast two eyes and but one mouth ; 

Make this thy part : 
Much must thou see and much keep close 

And still in heart. 

Thou hast two hands and but one mouth ; 

Learn in completing: 
Two hast thou there to work with, and 

But one for eating. 

RiJCKERT. 



158 jflota Ctansmuta 

October 12 

Glorious King of all the Martyrs, 
Of Confessors Crown and Prize, 

Bend to us an ear propitious, 
Hear our humble litanies. 



KB 13 

LULLABY 

The ears of corn are bending, 
They hang their heavy head, 

The tired flowers are sending 
All round a look of dread. 

Now come the evening breezes, 
As still as angels' sweep ; 

The gentle wind, it pleases 
The corn and flowers to sleep. 

My tired little flow'ret, 

Thou liest in thy nest, 
And heavy as the com-blades, 

Thy little head would rest. 

The evening airs upspringing, 
From heaven they softly sweep, 

Around the cradle singing 
My little child to sleep. 

Hoffmann von Fallersleben. 



jflora Cransmttta 159 

October 14 

TO POSTHUMUS 

Tomorrow thou wilt live, thou sayst, always 
tomorrow. 
O Posthumus, declare when comes this 
promised day? 
Where is it, and how far? where shall we look 
to find it? 
Does it in Parthian land, or Armenian, hide 
away ? 
Truly this same tomorrow has Priam's years 
or Nestor's ; 
Tell me, I beg, how much for tomorrow shall 
we pay? 
Tomorrow thou wilt live? To-day's too late, 
Posthumus ! 
The wisest man is he who has lived yester- 
day. 

Martial. 



October 15 

Who knoweth aught, should silent let it sleep ; 

Who is well-off, he should not change ; 

Who owneth aught, should hold it fast and 

keep; 
Misfortune strikes at shortest range. 

Martin Luther. 



160 jflora Cransmuta 

October 16 

Make our hearts to burn and glow, 
Gazing on Thy life below. 

Roman Breviary. 

October 17 

STORM 

Autumn and wind and rain 

Are howling and storming wild; 

Where can she find a shelter? 
My poor little frightened child ! 

I see her lean at her window, 
Alone and still and white; 

Her eyes are full of tear-drops, 
She looks out into the night. 

Heine. 

October 18 

PLEASURE 

Forth from every pleasure springing, 
Thorns are born that pain are bringing : 

As a restless bee, at play, 
In whomever tastes his honey 
Plants his cruel sting and bloody 

To heart's core, and flies away. 

Boetius. Translated by Lopez de Reta. 



jHora Cransmuta 161 

October 19 

Fulfilled are all the psalms of faithful David, 

The prophets' holy words are all fulfilled. 

Roman Breviary. 

October 20 

TO JULIUS MARTIAL 

Dear Martial, if with thee I could enjoy my 

days, 
And safe dispose our time in calm and leisure 

ways, 
Living, for each alike, the true and only life ; 
We would ignore the halls and houses of the 

great, 
Nor tedious business rites, nor lawsuits full of 

strife, 
Would know, nor would we mind proud images 

of state ; 
But walks and books and talk should be our 

constant care, 
The campus and the shade, the baths and 

porches there; 
These should have all our thoughts. But now, 

alas ! we see 
Our good days fly away, and swiftly cease to be, 
They perish all, and yet are counted to our cost. 
When one knows how to live, why should 

time be lost? 

Martial. 



162 jFIora Crattsmuta 

October 21 

There is a lake, not far from the walls of the 

city of Enna, 
Pergus by name, and deep ; than this not even 

Cayster. 
Hears more songs of swans on its smooth and 

full-flowing waters. 
Surrounding every side, a wood is crown to the 

water, 
Keeping off Phoebus' rays with its leafage as 

with a veiling. 
Coolness the branches give, the ground gives 

various flowers. 
Here is perpetual spring. And here Proserpine 

playing, 
Gathers now violet buds, and now the whitest 

of lilies, 
And while, with girlish zeal she fills her dress 

and her basket, 
Striving here to excel, in gathering, all her 

companions, 
Almost at once is she seen and beloved and 

kidnapped by Pluto, 
So does his passion flame. 

October 22 

All sadly the terrified goddess 
Calls on her mother and friends, most often of 
•all on her mother ; 



jFlora Cransmuta 163 

And since her dress is torn away and down 

from the border, 
The flowers, with such care collected, fall away 

in disorder ; — 
These too, lost and gone, awaken her grief and 

her anguish. 
The robber whirls her on in his car, and urges 

his horses, 
Calling each by his name, and shaking over 

their shoulders 
The reins he holds in his grasp, obscure and 

colored like iron ; 
Past the lakes of the Palici, deep and smelling 

of sulphur, 
Swift he is borne, a land where craters glow 

and boil upward, 
And he arrives at last where the people coming 

from Corinth 
Between unequal harbors have built the walls of 

their city. 

Ovid. 

October 23 

Children dear, 

Listen and hear 

God's word so clear, 
And all your elders' warnings and commands. 
This brings you blessings in all times and lands. 

Maetin Luther. 



164 jflora Cransmuta 

October 24 

GOOD COUNSEL 

Fly from the crowd, and dwell with truthfulness, 
Suffice to thine own good, though it be small ; 

For hoard hath hate, and climbing tickleness, 
The crowd hath envy; wealth, deceit o'er all; 

Savour no more than thee behoove shall; 

Rede well thyself, that canst another rede, 

And truth thee shall deliver, there is no drede. 

Trouble thee not each crooked to redress 
In trust of her that tumeth as a ball, 

Great rest remains in little business ; 
Beware also to spurn against a nail, 
Strive not as doth a pitcher with a wall, 

Judge thine own self that judgest others' deed, 

And truth thee shall deliver, there is no drede. 



October 25 

That thee is sent take in obedience. 

The wrestling of this world asketh a fall; 
Here is no home, here is but wilderness ; 

Forth, pilgrim ! forth, beast, out of thy stall ! 

Look up on high, and thank thy God for all! 
Leave thy desires, and let thy spirit thee lead, 
And truth thee shall deliver, there is no drede. 

Chaucer. 



Jflora Cransmuta 165 

October 26 

On all the mountains 

Is rest above, 

In all trees and fountains 

No breath can move; 

The biro's are quite still in the woodlands. 

Wait, only wait, 

Thy rest will not be late. 

Goethe. 

October 27 

VULCAN 

"Away with all," he says, "leave what you have 

begun ; 
Cyclops of JEtna, turn your minds to this alone. 
Arms for the brave we need, now is the time 

for strength, 
For quick and rapid hands, and master's skill 

at length. 
Throw off all slow delay." 

^neid VIII, 439. 

October 28 

Only give me love and grace, 

Rich I am and ask no more ; 
Let my earnest prayer find place, 

Bend an ear when I implore. 

Roman Breviary. 



166 jHota Cransmuta 

October 29 

MADRIGAL 

Weeping, once thou gav'st a kiss; 

Laughing, didst deny it. 
So from grief thou broughtest bliss, 

And from joy, disquiet. 
Joy was born from woe and tears, 

Grief from smiles : O lovers ! 
Sad 3'our fate that always fears, 

Fears and hopes discovers. 

Strozzi. 

October 30 

SESTINA 

In thy difficulties never 
Coward be, but brave and strong of heart; 

And in prosperous hours ever, 
When thy fortune blows from favoring part, 

Reef, with careful, steady mind, 

Sails that swell with every wind. 

From the Spanish. 
October 31 

O Sion, praise the Saviour, 
Our shepherd and our guide, 

In hymns and songs His deeds rehearse, 
And spread His praises wide. 

Roman Breviary. 



jHora Cransmuta 167 

November 1 

ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE 

Through spaces vast goes Hymen on his way, 
Wrapt in his crocus cloak, his mantle gay, 
To the Cicones' borders turning south, 
Invoked in vain by Orpheus' tuneful mouth. 
He came indeed, but not with wonted word, 
Nor joyful face, nor was good omen heard; 
Even the torch he held hissed tearful smoke, 
No motion could its clearer flame evoke. 
The end was worse than all ; for while the bride 
Walked with her Naiad troop in happy pride, 
A serpent bit her heel, and lo! she died. 

November % 

When that the Thracian bard had mourned her 

long 
In upper air, the shades must hear his song, 
And by the gate Tsenarian he dared 
Down to the Styx to pass, and there prepared 
To see the shadowy people, and the queen 
Persephone, and the sad realms between. 

November 3 

Striking the chords in answer to his song, 
Thus does he say : " O gods, to whom belong 
The lands that far below the earth are placed, 
To whom must fall each mortal frame de- 
faced, — 



168 jflora Cransmuta 

If I may speak, and you will let me tell 
A tale that has no windings false to swell, — 
Hear me declare I have not come so far 
That I might see dark Tartarus, nor make war 
On the three-headed beast with snaky jaws. 
No, my dear wife is the one only cause 
Of all my journey, whom a viper stung 
Upon her foot, and ended life so young. 

November 4 

I strove to suffer and endure. In vain. 
Love conquered. He o'er upper worlds doth 

reign, 
And even here his power is known, if true 
The tale of theft, Love has joined also you. 

by these places full of dread and fear, 
By chaos vast, by silence ruling here, 

1 pray, implore you, pity this my state, 
Re-weave Eurydice's untimely fate. 

November 5 

All things are owed to you, for lo ! we come 
Sooner or later hastening to this home. 
All life tends to this last abiding-place, 
Your realms, the longest for the human race. 
She too, when measure just her years compile, 
Shall be your own. I ask her but a while, 
A little while ; and if the fates deny 
This gift, I'll not return; we both will die." 



jFIora Cransmuta 169 

November 6 

For him, while thus he sang, and touched his 

lyre, 
The bloodless shades lamented midst their fire. 
No more poor Tantalus essayed to steal 
The flying water, and Ixion's wheel 
Stood still, the greedy vultures ceased to tear 
Their human food, the Danaids' urns were bare, 
The stone of Sisyphus became his chair. 
For the first time did tears of pity fall 
From the Eumenides ; the queen of all 
Could not the prayer of Orpheus more with- 
stand. 

November 7 

They call Eurydice. Among the band 

Of latest shades she walked with footsteps slow. 

With her a stern condition they bestow 

On Orpheus, for he may not turn his eyes 

Until Avernus far behind him lies, 

Or else the gift is but an empty prize. 

They undertake the way in silence mute, 

A way obscure and steep, as black as soot. 

November 8 

And now they've come within a distance small 
From the earth's edge ; when, fearing lest she fall, 
And eager to behold, her lover turned 



170 jFlora Cransmuta 

His eyes. At once, all backward spurned, 
Stretching her arms, desirous to embrace 
And be embraced, nothing except a space 
Of empty air, unhappy, she received; 
But for her second death she is not grieved, 
Nor can she blame her husband's eagerness; 
How could she wish that he should love her less ? 
Her last farewell she said, and scarcely caught 
His ear, and to her former place is brought. 

November 9 

All stupefied with grief stood Orpheus there, 
Like him who saw the dreadful bristling hair 
Of the three-headed dog, and, changed by fear, 
In shape a stony image did appear. 
Or like to thee, Olenos, strong to share 
Lethe a' s crime of boasting she was fair; 
Two loving hearts, and now two shapes of stone 
On Ida's misty mountain standing lone. 
Orpheus implores the ferryman in vain, 
No second passage can his prayers obtain; 
Seven days he sat uncared-for on the shore, 
While groans and tears were all his food and 

store, 
Then blaming gods of Erebus and fate, 
Aloof and proud in all their cruel state, 
Back to high Rhodope he turned his feet, 
And Harmon beaten by the northwinds' sleet. 
Ovid. Metamorphoses X, 1-77. 



jFIora Cransmuta 171 

November 10 

Come and hear my counsel given ! 
Use your youth bestowed by heaven. 
With the hours wiser grow : 
On the dial-plate of time 
Ever moves the pointer slow ; 
Thou must rise or sink below, 
Win or lose, be slave or free, 
Hammer or the anvil be. 

Goethe. 



November 11 

No page more grateful to the Muses seems 
Than that which mingles grave with merry 
themes, 
To recreate the wearied mind 
With useful nonsense well combined. 

Samuel Johnson. 



November 12 

From the rising of the sun 
To the ends of all the earth, 

Sing the praises of the King, 
Praise the glories of His birth. 

Roman Breviary. 



172 jFlora Cransmuta 

November 13 

UNDER THE ROSE 

The rose, the flower of Venus' dower, 

She gave her little son ; 
Love with this bribe, his thefts to hide, 

The god of silence won. 
So now above his friendly board 

The host suspends a rose, 
To warn each guest that secret rest 

What talk beneath it flows. 

Latin Epigram. 



November 14 

ON CINNA 

They tell me that Cinna writes verses against 

me, but no, 
He writes not, for nobody reads what Cinna 

has labored to show. 

Thou sayest it is nothing, whatever thou hast 

sought ; 
If nought thou askest, Cinna, then I deny thee 

nought. 

Martial. 



ifiora Cransmuta 173 

November 15 

Come, Sleep, O come ! although thou art 
Sure image of the death we dread, 

Yet I desire with all my heart 
To have thee consort of my bed. 

O hither come, and to depart 

Be slow, for lifeless thus to lie 

'Tis sweet to live, thus without death to die. 

T. Warton. 



November 16 

Come away, soul of mine, leave thy bed of 
slumber, 

Languor, torpor, vanity, drive away their num- 
ber; 

Make thine inmost heart to show love and meet 
behavior, 

Thinking on the wondrous deeds of thy gentle 
Saviour. 

Unknown Latin Author. 



November 17 

Thou who dwellest midst the lilies, 
Circled by a choir of virgins, 

Bridegroom decked with every glory, 
Here thy suppliants pray to thee. 

Roman Breviary. 



174 jHora Cransmuta 

November 18 

THE DAISY 

When that the month of May 
Is come, and that I hear the birdes sing, 
And that the flowers at last begin to spring, 
Farewell my book and my devotion. 

Now have I also this condition 
That out of all the flowers in the mead 
Then love I most those flowers white and red 
Such as men callen daisies in our town ; 

November 19' 

To them I have such great affection, 
As I said erst, when comes at last the May, 
That in my bed there dawneth me no day, 
But I am up, and walking in the mead 
To see this flower against the sun outspread, 
When it ariseth early by the morrow; 
That blissful sight softeneth all my sorrow, 
So glad am I, when that I have presence 
Of it, to do it fullest reverence, 

November 20 

As she that is of all the perfect flower, 
Fulfilled of all virtue and honor, 
And ever alike fair and fresh of hue, 
And ever I love it, ever alike new, 
And ever shall, until my heart may die; 



jHora Cransmuta 175 

Though I swear not, in this I will not lie. 
My busy spirit, that thirsteth alway new 
To see this flower so young, so fresh of hue, 
Constrained me with such greedy desire, 
That in my heart I feel even yet the fire, 
That made me rise before that it were day, 

November 21 

And this was now the first morrow of May, 

With reverent heart and glad devotion 

For to be at the resurrection 

Of this one flower, when that it should unclose, 

Against the sun, that rose as red as rose, 

That in the breast was of the beast that day 

That Agenores daughter led away : 

And down on knees anon I right me set, 

And as I could, this fresh flower did I greet, 

Kneeling alway, till it unclosed was, 

Upon the small and soft and sweetest grass, 

That was with flowers sweet embroidered all. 



November 22 

Forgotten had the earth its poor estate 

Of winter, that it naked made and mate, 

And with his sword of cold so sorely grieved; 

Now had the temperate sun all that re-leaved 

That naked was, and newly again clad. 

And the small birds, of the fresh season glad, 



176 jFlora Cransmuta 

That from the net and from the trap have 

strayed, 
Of the fierce fowler, that them sore affrayed 
In winter, and destroyed had their brood, — 
In his despite thought that it did them good 

November 23 

To sing of him and in their song despise 
The bad, foul churl, that for his covetise 
Had them betrayed with his sophistry — 
This was their song : " The fowler we defy 
And all his craft " : and some sang high and 

clear 
Their lays of love that j oy it was to hear, 
In worshipping and praising of their mate, 
And for the new and blissful summer's sake. 
Upon the branches, full of blossoms soft, 
In their delight they turned them full oft, 
And sang : " O blessed be Saint Valentine, 
For on his day I choose you to be mine, 
Without repentance, mine own hearte sweet." 

Chaucer. 
Legend of Good Women. 

November £4* 

P^ETUS AND ARRIA 

When to her Partus Arria gave the sword, 
Which she had drawn from out her pure 
heart's core, 



jFiora Cransmuta 177 

It hurts me not," she said, " believe my word ; 
But what thou doest, that will hurt me 
sore." 

Martial. 



November 25 

O holiest Lord, who rulest o'er the world, 

Hearken to these our praises from below; 
The morning comes with healing wings un- 
furled, 
Night's shadows flee, and light begins to 
glow. 
May light eternal rise upon our heart, 
And sanctifying peace its joy impart. 

Roman Breviary. 



November 26 

O fountain pure of love immortal, 

O stream of waters always new, 
O flame that softens the hard-hearted, 

O charity forever true ! 
Hide us within Thy heart, Lord Jesu, 

That there we may for aye remain, 
Enjoy Thy grace in rich outflowing, 

To heavenly happiness attain. 

Roman Breviary. 



178 jFIota Ctansmuta 

November 27 

MORNING HYMN 

Splendor of the Father's glory, 
Bringing light from light away, 

Light of light, and fount of brightness, 
Day illuminating day, 

O true Sun, look down upon us, 
Shining from thine endless store, 

And the radiance of thy Spirit 
Into all our senses pour. 

St. Ambrose. 



November 28 

TO SEVERUS 

Small are the gifts my garden can send thee for 

thy drouth, 
Eggs for thy throat, Severus, and apples for 

thy mouth. 

If I had Libyan game-birds, they should be 

thine, my friend ; 
Such as I have I give thee, my barnyard fowls 

I send. 

Martial. 



Jflora Crangmuta 179 

November 29 

Still the flames of angry strife, 

Take away the hurtful heat ; 
To our bodies health and life, 

To our hearts give peace most sweet. 

Roman Breviary. 



November 30 

Receive this small umbrella, a present from a 
friend, 
In burning summer days 'twill shield from too 
much sun; 
And if the wind should blow, again its help 'twill 
lend, 
It can answer for a veil, and serve both ends 
in one. 

Martiae. 



December 1 

ON HIS RUSTICATION 

Asked what I do, in country life delaying 
Far from the town,— I answer in a word : 

I pray the gods at daybreak, then I visit 
My fields, review my servants, and award 

To each his just amount of fitting labor. 

I read then, call on Phoebus, tease the Muse 



180 Jflota Ctangmuta 

Then oil and rub my body, and most willing, 
Constrain it mild palestral toil to use. 

With joyful mind, free from the money-lender, 
I dine, drink, sing, play, bathe, and sup, and 
rest; 

And while my little lamp consumes its oil, 
I write these lucubrations with great zest. 

Martial. 



December 2 

MOUNT VESUVIUS 

This is Vesuvius, once all green with shady vine: 
Here best and noblest grapes pressed down the 

vats with wine. 
This height great Bacchus loved more than his 

Nyssa's hill: 
Here lately Satyrs led their choral dance at will. 
Here was fair Venus' home, than Sparta held 

more dear; 
This place the famous name of Hercules made 

clear. 
Now flames lay all things low, sad ashes cover 

o'er: 
The gods on high decreed its power should grow 

no more. 

Martial. 



jFIora Crawsmuta i8i 

December 3 

CLAUDIA 

Claudia Rufina on wild British shore 

Was born, and yet how Latian is her mind ! 
How beautiful her form ! Italian dames 

Believe her Roman, Athens of her kind. 
Gods, who have granted to this holy pair 

Children, and hope of grandsons yet to come, 
Be still propitious, ever let her share 

With her one husband, her three sons, and 
home. 

Martial. 

December 4 

PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN 

Thou maid and mother, daughter of thy son, 

Thou well of mercy, sinful soules' cure, 
In whom that God of bounty chose to won ; 

Thou humble and high o'er every creature, 
Thou who dost so ennoble our nature, 
That no disdain the Maker had of kind 
His Son in blood and flesh to clothe and wind ; 

Now help, thou meek and blissful fairest maid, 
Me, banished wretch, in this desert of gall; 

Think on the Canaanite, on her who said 

That dogs oft eat some of the crumbes small 
That from their Lordes' table down may fall ; 



182 jFlora Crangmuta 

And though that I, unworthy son of Eve, 
Be sinful, yet accept ye my belief. 



December 5 

And for that faith is dead till it may work, 
So for to work give me both wit and space, 

That I be quit from place most dark and mirk, 
O thou that art so fair and full of grace, 
Be thou mine advocate in that high place, 

Where as without an end is sung Hosanna, 

Thou Christes' mother, daughter dear of Anna; 

And with thy light my soul in prison light, 

That troubled is by the contagion 
Of my body, and also by the weight 
Of earthly love and false affection : 
O haven of refuge, O salvation 
Of them that are in sorrow and distress, 
Now help, for to my work I will me dress. 
Chaucer. 
Second Nun's Tale. 



December 6 

The Lord returns to earth 
And with Him everything, 

The flowers have their new birth 
The birds rejoice and sing. 

Roman Breviary. 



jFlora Cransmuta 183 

December 7 

THE DOVE 

As frightened dove that flutters from the cave 
Where its sweet nest and home deep hidden 

lie, 
With noise of beating pinions flies on high, 
But soon in quiet air forgets its dread, 
And cuts its liquid way with moveless wings out- 
spread : 
So Pristis' galley the last space has won ; 
He strikes the waves, his impulse bears him on. 

Virgil. ^Eneid V, 213-219. 



December 8 

TO LEONORA 

O credulous Naples, who dost vainly say 
Thy Siren has departed, and the bright 
Parthenope has left her home of light, 

And given her body to the fire away ! 

No, for she lives, and only change has made 
Of Posilippo's hoarsely murmuring shore 
For Tiber's gentle waters, evermore 

Adorned with favoring laurels and sweet shade. 

Here happy with her song both gods and men 
are made. 

From Milton's Latin. 



184 jFlora Cransmuta 

December 9 

TO LEONORA SINGING IN ROME 

For each and every man an angel bright 

His own, his guardian, stoops from heavenly 

height, 
And leaves the ranks of hosts ethereal there, 
To wander through this dim and misty air. 
What wonder, then, if honor still more great, 
O Leonora, is thy happy fate? 
Through thee and through thy voice the present 

God 
Breathes power and harmony, thou art a rod 
By which He guides and teaches mortal hearts 
To lay aside their sensual, fleshly parts. 
For if our God is everywhere infused, 
Through thee alone He speaks, thy tongue alone 

is loosed. 

Paraphrase from the Latin of Milton. 



December 10 

No one can reckon what it costs God to give 
nourishment even to the birds alone, who need 
almost nothing. But I hold that it costs more 
to maintain the sparrows for one year than the 
King of France has for his income. What can 
one say then of the rest? 

Martin Luther. 



JFlora Crangmuta 185 

December 11 

There was a King of Yvetot 

Little known in story, 
Rising late, retiring soon, 

Sleeping without glory, 
Crowned by Jeanneton his maid 

With a simple cap of cotton braid, 
So they said. 
Oh! Oh! Oh! Rat-tat-tat! 
What a good little king was that ! 

He eat four hearty meals a day 
Within his thatch-roofed palace, 

And on mule-back, step by step, 
Round his kingdom sallies. 

Simple and glad, he thinks no ill, 

He has no guard, nor needs one still, 
Save a dog at will. 

Oh! Oh! Oh! Rat-tat-tat! 

What a good little king was that ! 

Beranger. 

December IS 

THE LARK 

We greet thee well, O heavenly herald, 
Sweet Spring's forerunner, dear singing com- 
rade; 
A thousand greetings, O lark beloved! 
Thou teachest twice, both song and living. 



186 jFIora Cransmuta 

Thou friend of industry and morning, 
Awak'ning meadow, field, and herdsman; 
Thou drivest sleep from opening eyelids ; 
For the early lark sings glad reveilles. 

Thou strengthenest hands that grasp the 

ploughshare, 
Thou settest the note for the hymn of morning, 
Awake and sing, my heart so j oyf ul, 
Awake and sing, my heart so thankful. 

December IS 

And every creature, bride of sunlight, 
Awakes refreshed from drowsy slumber; 
The steadfast trees all hear in wonder 
The heavenly song, and renew their verdure. 

The twigs shoot forth, the buds unfold them, 
The leaves slip out from cradling cover, 
The young birds stir in their nest of shelter, 
And doubtful try their little voices. 

Then thou, brave lark, good courage bringest, 
At earliest glance of youthful springtide, 
High over envious care uplifted, 
Beyond our vision, yet not our hearing. 

Ardent thou wingest thy way to heaven, 
Then modestly down to earth thou sinkest; 
Timidly nestling deep in the grasses, 
Again to heaven uprising joyful. 



jflora Crangmuta 187 

December 14 

For this, lark, so good and modest, 
Lifted above all pride and hindrance, 
Thou cheerful friend of godly labor, 
For this, heaven gave in reward and payment 

Thy lovely song, brave and unwearied, 
Thy voice of joy through all the springtide. 
Even Philomel, the bird of rapture, 
Must by thy longer song be conquered. 

For alas ! the notes of love and longing 
In Philomela's song die quickly ; 
But devotion's hymn, so strong and joyful, 
The hymn of labor, has longer tenure. 

Herder. 

December 15 

TO A FRIEND 

Enclosed in a wicker cover, this flask, for snowy 
refreshment, 
This in the season of Saturn shall be my gift 
to thee; 
If thou complainest that I have sent in the 
month of December 
A gift fit only for summer, then send in re- 
turn to me 
The thinnest and lightest of togas, and I'll 
take it willingly. 

Martial. 



188 jFlora Ctansmuta 

December 16 

MOUNTAIN IDYL 

Quiet stays the moon without doors 
Far behind the green fir-tree, 

And within the room, our lamplight 
Flickers dim and faint to see. 

But my two blue stars of lovelight 
Beaming shine with clearest ray, 

And her rosy cheeks are glowing, 
Whilst I hear the maiden say : 

" Little people, tricksy goblins, 
Steal our bread and all our store ; 

In the chest it lies at evening, 
In the morning there's no more. 

" Little people from our milk-pan 
Drink the cream with eager zest; 

Then they leave the dish uncovered; 
And the cat laps up the rest. 

" And our cat's a witch, I'm certain, 
For she steals in stormy hour 

Over to the haunted mountain, 
To the old and crumbling tower." 



jFlora Cransmuta 189 

December 17 

THE BUTTERFLY 

Lovely, airy thing on high, 

Butterfly ! 
Over flowers fluttering, 
On but dew and honey feeding, 

Flower thyself, a flying leaf, — 
Whose can be the rosy finger 

Has empurpled all thy sheaf? 

Was't a Fairy who thy robe 

So bestrewed. 
Formed thee out of morning fragrance, 
Made thee only live in dayglance? 

Little soul, thy tiny heart 
Beats so fast beneath my finger, 

Feels a deathful smart. 



Fly, O little soul, and be 

Gay and free, 
Sign to me what I may grow, 
When this earth's dark wormy show 

E'en like thee a zephyr is, 
And in fragrant dew and honey 

Every flower may kiss ! 

Herder. 



190 jHora Ctangmuta 

December 18 

A youth in Einsiedeln was troubled by evil 
thoughts and wicked desires. He went to an 
old man for counsel, and asked what to do. The 
old father answered : " Thou canst not hinder 
the birds from flying to and fro in the air, but 
thou canst certainly keep them from making 
a nest upon thine head or in thine heart." 

Martin Luther. 



December 19 

THE ABODE OF THE GODS 

Where the gods reign, there are abodes of quiet 
That no winds shake, nor clouds asperse with 

showers, 
Nor the white-falling snow, by frost congealed, 
Injures in aught, but ever cloudless ether 
Covers, and smiles with light diffus'd and wide. 

Lucretius. 

December 20 

Who ne'er his bread with tears has eat, 
Who never through the midnight hours 

Upon his bed in sorrow sat, 

He knows you not, ye heavenly powers. 

Goethe. 



jTIora Cransmuta 191 

December 21 

TWO WAYS TO VIRTUE AND 
STRENGTH 

Two are the ways by which man struggles up- 
ward to virtue ; 
Closed should one of them be, open the other 
will lie. 
The fortunate wins by action, the sufferer wins 
by patience, 
Happy that man will be, whose fortune con- 
tributeth both. 

Schiller. 

December 22 

ashes of my fathers ! bear me witness 
That in your sacred cause I was not daunted 
By arms nor by the host of all the Greeks : 
And if fate had decreed that I should fall, 

1 should have earned my death by my own deeds. 

^Enexd II, 481. 

December 23 

Holy mystery effulgent 

In the blessed Cross doth reign, 

Death destroyed by life triumphant, 
Life, by death, brought back again. 

Roman Breviary. 



192 JFIora Cransmuta 

December £4j 

OLD FRENCH NOEL 

All among the shepherds lowly, 
With the cattle, Christ the holy 
In the fields has willed His birth ; 
Not among the splendors glorious 
Of the greatest Kings victorious, — 
He, the King of all the earth. 



December 25 

In a cradle is lying, 

An infant, and sighing, 
The Word that all things has spoken ; 

The earth's Sun is freezing, 

His bright flame is ceasing; 
O what may all this betoken? 

What has down-driven 

God to a cavern? 
O this is love's doing and leaven! 

Farewell, stars of light, 

Hail caves of dark night, 
A stable now is my heaven ! 

Unknown Latin Author. 



jFIora Cran0muta 193 

December 26 

The people of Antdorf had caused a beautiful 
tapestry to be made for the Emperor Charles, 
and on it was worked a representation of the 
Battle of Pavia, in which the King of France 
had been taken prisoner. But the Emperor 
would not receive it, because he did not wish 
that any one should think he could rejoice in 
the misfortune and misery of another. 

Martin Luther. 



December 27 

THE MARTYRS 

Earthly terrors they have conquered, 
Pains of body they despised, 

Holy death they gave in barter 
For the blessed life they prized. 

Fourth or Fifth Century. 



December 28 

Five things are difficult: to know thyself, 
To keep a secret, injuries to pardon, 
To spend time well, and (free from love of self) 
To do thy duty with no hope of guerdon. 

From the Spanish. 



194 jHora Crangmtita 

December 29 

ASSONANCES 

True riches is not gold, nor does possession 

bring it: 
But he who has no fears, he is both rich and 

happy. 
Greater will be thy joy, if in so many dangers, 
Envy pursue thee not, but oblivion dwell with 

thee. 

From the Spanish. 



December 30 

HOLY INNOCENTS 

Hail, ye little martyred flowers ! 

On the threshold of your life, 
Whom the bloody sword devours, 

Rosebuds with the wind at strife. 

First to give your breath away, 
Tender flock of slaughtered lambs, 

'Neath the altar-stone you play 
With your own crowns and palms. 

Pritdentius. 



jHota Ctangmuta 195 

December 31 

SONG 

Long have I the battle waged, 

Now I cease to strive, 
When the old man is destroyed, 

Starts the new alive. 
And if thou shouldst have it not, 

This great death and birth, 
Art thou but a weary guest 

On this darksome earth. 

Goethe. (The last verse he wrote.) 



DEC 19 1913 



UBBARY OF CWg[jgS> • 



